On implementing the Moscow – Kazan high-speed railway construction project

The Government has approved and has started implementing a network timeframe for building the Moscow – Kazan high-speed railway, hereinafter referred to as the HSR. There are plans to sign a design contract, based on the results of a Russian Railways competition, in December 2013. The relevant organisational-legal and financial model will be refined in February 2014, including on the basis of the results of a final decision with regard to funding criteria. The HSR will start operation in 2018.

A feasibility study of HSR construction investment has been drafted, taking into account expenses for station construction, compulsory land-plot purchases and rolling-stock purchases, as well as construction and assembly.

The issue of HSR-construction funding sources is being assessed, and projected passenger-load data has been determined.

Russian regions have launched work to allocate land plots and to amend territorial-planning procedures.

A working group to resolve land and property issues linked with the HSR construction project has been established under the supervision of the Ministry of Economic Development. Russian regions have appointed authorised representatives who will ensure cooperation during the implementation of the HSR construction project.

The High-Speed Railways company has been established in order to manage the project. To date, Russian Railways owns 100% of this company’s shares. Plans have been made to involve private investors in the High-Speed Railways company at a later stage.