Route for new railway approved

A tender will soon be announced for 1100 km of rail passing through 4 aimags

Having resolved to construct a new railroad to transport minerals extracted from major deposits to processing plants and export them to foreign market, Parliament approved the State Policy on Railways in June, 2010. Accordingly, the general route of new railway has been determined. On January 4, the Road, Transport, Construction and Urban Planning Ministry announced that detailed  route of the new railway has been approved.

The route of the new railway was approved based on a preliminary feasibility study done by the Mongolian Railway State-run Company and route maps worked out by Land Relations, Construction, Geodesy and Cartographic Department. “With the purpose to accelerate a term to construct the new railway, we try to complete paper work during the wintertime. For this purpose, the  feasibility study and the route were worked out in collaboration with national companies,” said Minister Kh. Battulga. A tender will be soon announced to select a consulting team which will make a more detailed evaluation.

According to the direction of Tavan Tolgoi-Sainshand-Choibalsan, the route of the railway was designed based on consideration of its effects on conditions of the area, environment and animals.

As the new railway is built in the Gobi region, there are few obstructions such as mountains, rivers and lakes.

However, sandy soil in the Gobi is unstable and sinking. It demands special attention. ‘Geo master’ and ‘Eco Hydro Geo’ companies that determined the new route considered that in any case, the railway can be built in the gobi region. It intends to construct rail tracks by building high walls. Additinally, they intend to build bridges and exits considering possible negative effects on the movement of animals, including gazelles and asses that settle in this area and on nomadic animal husbandry. Minister Kh. Battulga said that it will be a straight way without circles as much as possible in order to keep transportation expenses low and make transportation safe because mining products will be mainly transported through the new railway.

Officials announce details for the RR’s direction and environmental
considerations

This 1100km route will pass through the territories of 7 soums of 4 aimags and major deposits of mineral resources such as iron ore, uranium and oil are located in that direction

source: 'The mongol Messenger' newspaper