Bishkek, July 27, 2026. /Kabar/. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov took part in the opening ceremony of the Balykchy-Kochkor railway and the new Kochkor railway station in Naryn oblast.
The head of state arrived at Kochkor station by train, personally inspected the new railway route, and then toured the new station's infrastructure.
Speaking at the ceremony, the president noted that the opening of the first 63-kilometer section of the Balykchy-Kochkor railway was a significant historical event and the first stage of the Balykchy-Kara-Keche-Makmal highway project.
According to the president, Kyrgyzstan builds the railway itself. During the construction, approximately one million cubic meters of blasting was performed, eight kilometers of mountainous terrain were cleared, and the cost of constructing one kilometer of track was $955,000. For comparison, the president noted that foreign companies had estimated the construction cost at between $4.8 million and $6.8 million per kilometer.
"We have revived the culture of railway construction, our engineering potential, and professional experience." "This historic achievement proves that our country is capable of independently implementing large-scale infrastructure projects," the head of state stated.
He recalled that construction of the Balykchy-Kochkor-Kara-Keche railway began in March 2022, despite doubts about the project's feasibility. Moreover, construction was carried out in challenging conditions—in swampy and rocky areas, near the Orto-Tokoy Reservoir, and alongside existing roads and utility lines.
The president also cited development indicators for the railway industry. By the end of 2025, freight traffic reached 11 million tons, a 36% increase compared to 2021. Passenger traffic during this period increased from 255,000 to 432,000, representing a 69% increase.
According to Zhaparov, future plans include the construction of the Kochkor-Kara-Keche-Makmal section, which will connect the north and south of the country via a single railway line, facilitate the transportation of coal from the Kara-Keche deposit, and enhance Kyrgyzstan's logistics potential.
The head of state emphasized that this railway line will eventually become part of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan international transport corridor, which will allow the country to strengthen its transit potential, increase exports, attract investment, and promote the development of industry, tourism, and logistics.
At the end of the ceremony, Sadyr Zhaparov tightened the final screw of the Balykchy-Kochkor section with a special wrench, symbolically completing the first stage of the railway line. He then spoke with local residents, who expressed hope for continued construction of the railway to Makmal and its eventual connection with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway. The president emphasized that stability in the country remains the primary condition for the implementation of all planned projects.
