China-built BRI rail project progresses in Kazakhstan

The Astana Light Rail Project in Kazakhstan, a key undertaking under the Belt and Road Initiative and also the first railway in Central Asia being constructed with Chinese standards, is progressing swiftly.

According to the one of the builders from Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group Co Ltd, the whole project is anticipated to be completed and start trial operation by September 2026.

Wei Hua, deputy Party secretary and chairman of Yunnan General Construction Contracting Co Ltd under group, said: "The total investment for Phase 1 of the Astana Light Rail Project is $1.888 billion, with a total length of 22.4 kilometers. Our company is in charge of constructing 3.52 kilometers of it."

Wei said his company joined the construction work since July 2023 and is tasked with building four stations and four sections between station No 105 (excluded) and station No 109 (included).