Yakutia’s transport infrastructure-strategic issue in Far East - Fradkov

YAKUTSK, March 14 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said on Wednesday the development of transport infrastructure of Yakutia is a strategic issue for the whole Far East.

During his visit to the Republic of Sakha he discussed the construction of the Berkakit-Tommot-Yakutsk railway and of a railway and automobile bridge across the Lena River.

“It is necessary to understand clearly what we will build, where and how and coordinate resources of federal and regional authorities, natural monopolies and businesses,” Fradkov said.

Yakutia President Vyacheslav Shtyrov said for his part “the construction of the Berkakit-Tommot-Yakutsk railway is the key task to link the republic with the Baikal-Amur railway and Russia's other roads.”

As for the bridge to be laid across the Lena River, it will help to link Yakutia's roads with other highways and create year-round transport communication, he said.

Shtyrov pointed out that the bridge construction project would be financed from the federal budget (50 percent), Yakutia's budget (25 percent) and investments of the Russian Railways Company (RZD).

He believes that the major projects for the republic's infrastructure development may be implemented before 2013. After these projects are translated into reality, almost 50 percent of Yakutia's territory will be included in a year-round cargo delivery zone.

The republic's president called on the government to focus on the development of waterways across the Lena River as the construction of the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean pipeline and regular cargo shipment will increase its workload.

Shtyrov said Yakutia also feels the shortage of short-range planes in its fleet.

// March 14, 2007.

Resource: ITAR-TASS.