Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani Deputy Transport Minister Musa Panahov.
Day.Az: At what stage are works to build Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway?
Musa Panahov: Work is underway in the construction site to establish a new connection. I mean the 26 kilometers of new railway which is laid to connect the border with Turkey to counter a branch under construction. The construction work is much more intense in Georgia than ever before. We have stepped up the pace of construction and involved extra forces from a contractor. Overhaul of the section from Marabda to Akhalkalaki station has completed. In other words, the project documents are ready.
The project is implemented in three lots. A tender has been opened to overhaul a section from Marabda to Tetritskaro. About 30 kilometers of railway needs to be repaired. The winner of the tender will deal with overhaul of this section. This section of the railway must also be ready for tasks laid down in the draft to ensure large volumes of traffic in future.
Accordingly, tenders will be opened in early 2010 for overhaul of other sections up to Akhalkalaki. Akhalkalaki interchangeable station is being projected at the moment. So, we will announce a tender for construction of the new station of Akhalkalaki in the middle of next year.
Q: So, you say everything is going on according to schedule?
A: Yes, everything is going according to schedule. We will complete the project in the first half of 2012.
Q: In recent months, there were views that Azerbaijan may limit funds for the construction of its part due to warming of Turkish-Armenian relations. Are there any grounds for such an assumption?
A: There is no any reason for such statements. Our work is moving forward in accordance with schedule despite cost of the project has increased. The prices on building materials rose as soon as the project began to be implemented. I believe cost of the project will continue to rise to some extent. This is due mainly to the fact that reconstruction and overhaul of the previously existing 160-kilometer stretch requires more funds.
Q: What are your views about political experts’ statements claiming that this international project may lose significance once Armenia-Turkey border is opened?
A: All current and future factors were taken into consideration when the draft and feasibility study of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project were developed.
This project is independent of the question whether the border between Turkey and Armenia will open. This is absolutely independent, self-sufficient transportation project that will operate very efficiently. So, opening of borders will not have a negative affect on economic viability of the project. The construction work will continue under any circumstances.
Q: You mean the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars can not lose its economic value after political changes?
A: Yes. Because this project is economically efficient and it will operate even if the borders with Armenia are opened. Indeed, there are old Soviet railway of international importance which connect Azerbaijan to Turkey via Armenia. However, (even excluding all political points) it will be necessary to overhaul the section in the territory of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia in order to make it work. That is about 200 kilometers of railway, which needs to be fully overhauled as Armenians have looted infrastructure and almost destroyed the railroad. Rebuilding 200 km-section will cost more than the project we are implementing at the moment. It will also take very long time.
