Feasibility study for construction of railway around Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul to be prepared in 2026 - Eurasian Development Bank The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is to choose a contractor to prepare the feasibility study for the construction of a railway between Balykchy and Cholpon-Ata in the resort area near to the Issyk-Kul lake, EDB Deputy CEO Yaroslav Mandron told journalists on Thursday.He said that a technical assistance contract had been signed by the EDB and Kyrgyzstan's rail operator Kyrgyz Temir Zholy (KTJ, Kyrgyz Railways) during the Russian-Kyrgyz economic forum in summer. The contract initially covered funding for the development of a preliminary feasibility study for the construction of the railway."We previously discussed the preliminary feasibility study and we have now fully secured $1.5 million of funding specifically for the project's feasibility study. Together with Kyrgyz Temir Zholy, we will now decide on a structure for the terms of reference by the end of December. And in January 2026, we have taken on the responsibility of holding the tender based on the approved terms of reference to select a contractor who will prepare the feasibility study," Mandron said.The EDB said that the preparation of the feasibility study will be complete by the end of the first half of 2026."Our preliminary estimate is that it could cost $300-500 million. And we have also taken on the task of sourcing this amount of funding. Therefore, Kyrgyzstan is our priority in terms of railways. We have agreed on this with the Cabinet of Ministers," Mandron said.The railway currently only reaches Balykchy at the entrance to the Issyk-Kul resort region. In spring 2025, representatives from Kyrgyz Railways said that it planned to build a ring road around the lake, along the northern bank from Balykchy via Tamchy to Cholpon-Ata and along the southern bank from Balykchy to Karakol.The Eurasian Development Bank had accumulated a project portfolio of $445 million in Kyrgyzstan by the end of 2025. It is also considering projects for a further $300 million. A further $5.1 million has been provided by the technical assistance fund. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: Interfax