Despite previous doubts and critical opinions, many believed that this project might never be realized; however, it has proven its strategic importance and viability. As of today, construction is progressing successfully and is nearing completion.
The Balykchy – Kochkor project is crucial for the development of the country's transport infrastructure, as it will eventually become part of the international railway line connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. A transshipment station is planned to be established in the Makmal area, which will allow for the integration of the national railway network into global logistics routes.
The implementation of this project is forming a unified railway network in Kyrgyzstan, linking the north and south of the country. Currently, the railway infrastructure operates in isolation, with the northern and southern branches not connected. The Balykchy – Kochkor project represents an important step towards creating a modern and cohesive railway system.
Since March 2022, construction has been carried out by the State Enterprise "NC Kyrgyz Temir Zholu". The general contractor is the State Enterprise "Bridge Construction Team", which is executing a full range of construction works at a high level and ahead of schedule for the first time in the history of independent Kyrgyzstan. Thanks to the experience gained from the Balykchy – Kochkor project, the "Bridge Construction Team" has already begun work on the construction of a section of the "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan" railway in the area of the strategic Makmal station.
Currently, the Balykchy – Kochkor section is being built using the company's own funds. However, negotiations are actively underway to attract investments for the continuation of the line from Kara-Keche. International meetings are being held with various financial organizations to discuss cooperation opportunities in railway construction.
In the future, it is planned not only to extend the railway section to Makmal but also to construct new routes: Balykchy – Tamchy – Cholpon-Ata, Balykchy – Bokonbaev – Karakol, and Makmal – Karakol. These projects are included in the list of strategically important initiatives for the development of the railway sector. To implement them, the company is actively collaborating with international organizations and financial institutions.
The creation of a connection between the northern and southern regions through the "Balykchy – Kochkor" and "Kochkor – Kara-Keche – Makmal" projects, leading to the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan line, opens up new prospects. This will not only form a unified internal railway network but also ensure unhindered transit of goods through Kyrgyzstan along the routes "Europe – China – Asia-Pacific countries" and back.
The socio-economic significance of this project also lies in creating a more economical route for transporting coal from the Kara-Keche lignite deposit. Currently, coal is transported by road to the Balykchy station and then by rail to Bishkek and other settlements in the north of the country.
Using road transport for coal transportation leads to significant costs, as well as premature deterioration of road surfaces, which proves to be more expensive in the long run than transportation by rail. Additionally, coal dust raised by the wind in the Balykchy station area negatively affects the ecosystem of the lake and surrounding areas.
Building the railway from Balykchy to the coal deposit will not only provide economic benefits but also enhance the ecological safety of the region.
The route begins from the center of switch number 44 with a lateral branch in the southern direction from the Balykchy station.
First stage - The construction of the section from 0 km to 5 km revealed complex processes in the construction of the embankment:
- Excavation of marshy soil and backfilling with rocky soil from PK8+20 to PK37+00;
- Installation of drainage systems to lower the groundwater level during earthworks and in the course of operation;
- Development of deep and two-stage excavation from PK38+00 to PK47+00. Seven water pipes have been installed, and one crossing has been built.
On this section, ancient Scythian-Saka burial mounds dating back to the II millennium BC were discovered in the excavation area on Mount Boz-Barmak. The work was completed after excavation and reburial.
Second stage (5 km - 10 km) of the Balykchy – Kochkor railway construction: 5 km have been built from 5 km to 10 km. At PK50+200, the railway crosses the "Balykchy-Bokonbaev-Karakol" highway, which will run above the railway. The route then crosses marshy terrain from PK59+00 to PK72+400, using modern geogrid laying technologies. Additionally, one support of the high-voltage power line has been reinforced at PK87+00. Ten water pipes have been installed, and one crossing has been built.
Third stage (10-29.812 km): The route passes through the village of Ak-Ölön, intersects at the same level with the "Kochkor-Ottuk" highway, and turns west. The construction of this section is complete: all water pipes have been installed up to 29.812 km, and 29 km of the track superstructure has been laid.
Fourth stage (29.812-44 km): The construction of the main structures of the railway from 29.812 km to 38 km has been completed. At 39 km, work continues on the construction of the main embankment platform for laying the superstructure. From 40 to 43 km, blasting works are being carried out to construct the embankment on a rocky foundation, with a total volume of approximately 454,402 m³, which has already been completed. From 41 km to 43.5 km, the roadway of the highway has been widened for the temporary passage of vehicle flows during the blasting works, which are currently 55% complete. From 39 km to 43 km, the work on the relocation of fiber optic cables has been completed 100%.
Fifth stage (44-63.4 km): From 44 km to 50 km, 30 water pipes have been built, and the embankment has been completed by 80%. From 50 km to 58 km, work on stripping the vegetation layer and compacting the embankment foundation has been completed. From 44 km to 63 km, work on relocating the power lines by the contractors of JSC "NESC" is 90% complete. The relocation of the "Sary-Chat" post has been suspended until the completion of blasting works on section 12 (35% complete) and section 13 (100% complete). Work on the reconstruction of the "Kenesh" channel has been completed by 40%.
Sixth stage (Kochkor station project): At the Kochkor station site, work is proceeding according to the approved master plan. Design and survey work is being conducted on signaling, centralization, and blocking systems, as well as on electrical supply. Work has begun on constructing the embankment to the design elevation of the station. The foundation work for the Kochkor station building has been completed. Construction of the station building is underway, with the monolithic concrete frame of the first floor completed, and work on the first-floor ceiling is ongoing.
Currently, construction work on the Balykchy – Kochkor project is being carried out simultaneously at several sites, around the clock and in two shifts. A total of 80 units of specialized equipment and 180 workers are involved in the process.
It is expected that the construction of the entire line will be completed in 2026.
