Bishkek, June 15, 2026 /Kabar/. On June 14, during a working visit to Issyk-Kul region, President Sadyr Zhaparov took part in the capsule-laying ceremony for the construction of the Balykchy-Tamchy-Cholpon-Ata railway.
During the event, the head of state learned about the project and the results of restoration work on the railway section from Balykchy station to the Balykchy Beach stop, and also rode along this route on a railcar.
The approximately 6-kilometer railway line operated during the Soviet period, but subsequently fell into disrepair and was decommissioned. Last year, the state-owned enterprise Kyrgyz Temir Zholu modernized it: the track and sleepers were replaced, and safety barriers were installed.
In his speech, the president recalled that last year's rail freight volume reached 10 million tons, a 36 percent increase compared to 7 million tons in 2021. This is one of the best figures in the history of the domestic railway industry.
Over the same period, the number of passengers using rail transport increased from 255,000 in 2021 to 432,000 in 2025, an increase of 70 percent.
This trend indicates improved industry performance and the expanding role of rail in the country's transportation system. As a result, public confidence in rail transport is growing.
"Construction of the strategically important China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, with a total length of 304 kilometers, is currently underway.
The Makmal transfer station is an important part of this project. It will facilitate the connection of railways of different gauges and will become one of the country's key logistics hubs.
Along with this, work is underway to implement the Balykchy-Kochkor-Kara-Keche-Makmal railway project, which is of strategic importance for the development of the country's domestic rail network and strengthening transport links between the north and south of Kyrgyzstan," said Sadyr Zhaparov. He added that the first stage of this project is the construction of the 63-kilometer Balykchy-Kochkor railway line.
"The construction of this railway will increase the volume of raw materials and industrial products transported, improve regional transport accessibility, reduce logistics costs, and significantly strengthen the integration of the national railway system.
It is precisely as a logical continuation of these achievements that we can now confidently speak of the commencement of construction of the Balykchy-Tamchy-Cholpon-Ata railway," the head of state noted.
The new railway line will be approximately 86 kilometers long. The project includes integration of the railway with Issyk-Kul International Airport. As a result, a modern multimodal transport and logistics hub will be created on the shores of Issyk-Kul lake.
According to preliminary estimates, once fully operational, the project will be able to handle up to 5 million tons of freight per year. Furthermore, I hope that this figure will continue to increase as infrastructure develops and the region's economy revitalizes. "The project is particularly significant because it takes into account the large-scale investment initiatives currently underway on the Issyk-Kul coast.
The new railway will ensure the delivery of construction materials and other cargo, contribute to the development of the region's tourism potential, and expand passenger service," said Sadyr Zhaparov.
Over 400 jobs will be created during the project's implementation, and over 200 permanent jobs will be created once the railway is operational.
The president emphasized that domestic personnel are also being trained: Kyrgyz engineers and construction workers are being sent for training and receiving