The document was signed by Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy in the Far Eastern Federal District Viktor Ishayev, and Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin.
The agreement prioritises the joint implementation of the state programme Socioeconomic Development of the Russian Far East and the Baikal Region to 2025, including projects to reconstruct the Trans-Siberian Railway, develop and modernise the Baikal-Amur Mainline, link the Trans-Korean Mainline with the Russian railway network, build a railway line from Selikhin in the Khabarovsk Territory to Nysh in the Sakhalin Region, across the Nevelskoi Strait. The Ministry will also assist in implementing projects for the expansion of the railway network on Sakhalin Island, the development of transport-logistics centres in the Far Eastern Federal District, construction of the Berkakit – Tommot – Yakutsk railway line and a bridge across the Lena River.
“The Agreement lists projects that are currently being implemented. We are discussing the development of the Baikal-Amur Mainline. Russian Railways contributes the lion’s share of their resources, and about 260 billion roubles’ worth of federal-budget funding will be allocated. This also includes modernisation of the Trans-Siberian Railway as a gateway to Europe and Japan, and we must also reach Sakhalin and gain access to ice-free ports,” the Minister said.
He stressed that it was currently impossible to develop the Far East without this. Problems arise during the exploration of resources because there is insufficient infrastructure for removing these resources and delivering them elsewhere.
One provision of the Agreement between the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Russian Railways aims to support construction of railway approaches towards mineral deposits and the seaport infrastructure in the Far Eastern Federal District.
Moreover, the parties will cooperate on the development of the communal railway infrastructure’s facilities, including regional railway stations, terminals and stops. Joint action will be taken to create favourable conditions for improving standards of living in the Far Eastern Federal District, including the organisation of targeted projects and programmes to assist the population in getting quality medical care and to create additional jobs.
Source: Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East
