Agreement on Belkomur to be signed in September
A framwork agreement on the Belkomur railway project will be signed in September, a high-ranking representatives of the Russian Railways confirms. Murmansk now says it is ready to support the project which, if implemented, will significantly cut transport distances between western Siberia and the Barents Sea.
Mr. Sergey Postnikov, Deputy head of the Russian Railways‘ department on economic and strategic development, confirms that a framwork agreement on the project will be signed by the Russian Railways and the involved regions – Arkhangelsk Oblast, the Komi Republic and Perm Kray – in September this year, B-port.com reports.
The railway official underlines that his company now first of all is interested in getting to know the potential of the railway line. –When we get a comprehensive understanding of this, we will be able to determine the level of our participation in the „Belkomur“, he says
The Russian Railways have long been sceptic to the grand railway project, which is to cut transport distances between Western Siberia and the Barents Sea with about 800 km.
Murmansk Oblast is likely to be invited to the signing ceremony of the agreement.
Murmansk Deputy Governor Viktor Gorbunov confirms that his region is interested in following up the project. That has not always been the case, however. Mr. Gorbunov underlines that Murmansk supports the project now, when the line is to lead to the Kola Peninsula and Arkhangelsk, and not as previously planned to ports in Finland (Oulo) and Norway (Narvik).
Read also:
Murmansk joins Belkomur project 12 June 2008
Russian Railways supports construction of Belkomur 23 May 2008
The rebirth of Belkomur 19 November 2007
Chances high for Belkomur? 19 July 2007
