Azerbaijan Railways President Rovshan Rustamov Announced Modernization Works

The President of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), Rovshan Rustamov, announced the completion of modernization works on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway Line, stating, “The renewed BTK line will provide a direct railway connection with our brotherly country Turkey and contribute to increased transportation of goods between our countries.”

The Section of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Line Passing Through Georgia Has Been Completed

The repair and expansion works on the 184-kilometer section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway Line passing through Georgia have been completed. The nearing completion of the works actively carried out since 2023 will make Azerbaijan an important transportation center on the East-West corridor.

ADY President Rustamov: “BTK Railway Line Will Increase Transit Potential”

The President of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), Rovshan Rustamov, made statements regarding the benefits of expanding the road in terms of modernization works on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway Line and increasing Azerbaijan’s transit potential.

Rustamov: “BTK Will Provide Direct Rail Connection with Turkey”

Emphasizing a significant increase in railway transit freight transport in the last 20 years, Rustamov stated, “For example, in 2019, 3.8 million tons of transit freight were transported, while in 2023, this figure reached 6.8 million tons. Comparing the first 4 months of last year with the January-April period of this year, the volume of transit freight transported increased by 14% this year. There is a 120-200% increase in the volume of loads such as nitrogen fertilizer, flour, and metal pipes. In the first quarter of this year, we transported 10% more transit freight in the East-West Corridor, including the renewed BTK line. The renewed BTK line will provide a direct railway connection with our brotherly country Turkey and contribute to increased transportation of goods between our countries.”

Annual Transport Capacity of BTK Railway Increased to 5 Million Tons

Rustamov stated that with the modernized BTK railway, more cargo can now be transported faster. “In other words, with the annual cargo volume reaching 5 million tons from 1 million tons, BTK will contribute to the volume and speed of cargo transportation from east to west and west to east in our country. After the expansion of the Georgian section of the BTK railway, one of our main activities will be to establish a joint venture between Azerbaijan and Georgia. This venture will operate efficiently in managing BTK operations and transporting new loads. The work is ongoing, and it is planned to complete all procedures and establish the operation within this month.”