70 percent of Aktobe-Uralsk road construction completed

Construction of the road between Aktobe and Uralsk is 70 percent completed, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the blog of Kazakhstan Minister of Transport and Communications Askar Zhumagaliyev. The Minister told about development of major projects at the meeting with heads of the structural departments and companies of Aktobe oblast. Zhumagaliyev emphasized the importance of transport and communication for the country. "One of the brightest examples is construction of Zhezkazgan-Beineu railway connection (988 km) and Arkalyk-Shubarkol railway connection (214 km) that are of great importance for Kazakhstan. The first line will establish a direct pass for cargoes from central Kazakhstan and Dostyk station (a major border station with China) to western Kazakhstan and Europe, the second one will create good conditions for development of agricultural producers of grain and cattle in the neighboring regions. As this project is very important for the country, the President instructed to start its implementation this year," Zhumagaliyev said. Another project the Minister talked about was reconstruction of the international transit corridor West Europe-West China. "This is a mega-project a giant transcontinental artery that will boost development of small and medium business, service industry, tourism and other sectors of Kazakhstan's economy," the Minister added. Zhumagaliyev also reported on the work done in the last two years: "1,200 km of the road have already been constructed. In 2012 we are planning to construct another 700 km. 215 km of road are operating in Aktobe oblast. This year the road in Aktobe-Martuk part will be opened and 30 percent of the Northern bypass of Aktobe will be constructed. As for Aktobe-Uralsk road, construction works are in process at two parts of the road. 70 percent of the works have already been completed." Besides, Zhumagaliyev noted the importance of the work on automatization of state services. All regional and city population services centers are to be modernized by the end of 2012. The Minister instructed heads of departments to train consultants to promote electronic government among the population.