If its ambitious rail plans are to come to fruition, Kyrgyzstan will be two major rail lines richer in the future. One of those is the cross-country China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan (CKU) line. The other is a new, future line eastward, along the famous lake Issyk-Kul. The lines will intersect at Makmal, turning the previously rail-less region into a major rail node.
The choice for Makmal, even if it is a bit unclear exactly where it is located, is not a coincidence. It is a river in southern Kyrgyzstan, but the rail intersection will likely be located closer to its namesake: ‘Makmal Gold Company’ – a gold mine in the region.
In connection with rail, the name of Makmal first surfaced in CKU line plans. Planners chose the place as the location of a gauge transfer hub. On the way from China to Uzbekistan, trains need to switch from China’s standard gauge rail infrastructure to Central Asia’s broad gauge.
It seems highly probable that the choice for the transfer hub befell Makmal with gold exports in mind. In that way, it would secure extra demand for transport on the rather expensive rail line. It will reportedly cost around 4,7 billion dollars. The payback time of the rail has subquently been a point of discussion. It will likely take decades because Kyrgyzstan earns the investment back.
Transeurasian line
Makmal will now also be the starting point for another expensive cross-country rail line, albeit in the other direction of the country. The so-called Transeurasian line will extend all the way to Karakol. That town is located beyond the Issyk-Kul lake and close to the Chinese border. The All American Rail Group, an American rail consortium, will fund the three billion dollar investment. After 35 years, it will hand over the line to the Kyrgyz state.
“Passenger and freight transport, logistics, is being considered. Because a new [border] post with China, ‘Bedel’, is being opened, in this direction there will be a boost of the economy. The rail line itself was built in the Soviet Union until the city of Balykchi, now we will be extending it to Karakol, which is around 200 kilometres”, a Kyrgyz investment official said.