RZD set to inject RUB 31.8bn in BAM upgrade
Russian Railways (RZD) has planned for 2011-2013 a total of RUB 31.8 billion of investment in the development of the Baikal Amur Mainline (BAM), RZD’s Far Eastern branch press office said. Since 2003 to date RZD has invested in BAM infrastructure development 37.6 billion rubles.
This year, the state-owned rail monopoly set aside for the mainline development a total of RUB 9.5 billion of investment. In 2012, the company plans to inject nearly RUB 9.6 billion, and RUB 12.7 billion - in 2013.
However, the cargo owners’ projected freight traffic volume requires at least 100 billion rubles of investment a year, some experts say.
“The mainline development cost should not rest on RZD’s shoulders alone. It requires a master plan, the overall strategy for the development of cargo base so we could have a precise knowledge of the forecasted traffic volume to be carried by the railroad,” Far Eastern Railway head Mikhail Zaichenko said. .