The agreement signed opens up for a joint application to the Russian Investment Fund, newspaper Pravda Severa writes.
A permanent working group is now being established for the follow-up of the project. If built, the Belkomur line will cut transport distances between the western Siberia and the Barents Sea with up to 800 km
The “Belkomur” project (an abbriviation of The White See – Komi - Ural) was initiated already in the 1930s, but was halted in 1953 with the death of Josef Stalin. In 1996, the project was revived by the regional administrations of Arkhangelsk, Komi and Perm. Then, in 2002, the project again came to a halt as financing dried out.
Meanwhile, about 800 km on railway remains to be laid
Among the main problems of the project so far has been insuffient support from the Russian Railways. That might now have changed, thus opening up for another revitalizion for the railway enthusiasts.
Map: Izvestia