Russian engineers complete major railway project between Azerbaijan and Georgia

After no upgrades in over four decades, the Baku–Boyuk-Kasik line has been equipped with modern digital systems

Russian engineers have completed the digitalization of the Baku–Boyuk-Kasik railway line, a key corridor linking the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Georgia. The final stage of the project has involved modernizing the 122-kilometer Ujar–Hajigabul section, which had not been upgraded since 1980.

The project was carried out by Natsproyektstroy, a leading Russian infrastructure holding comprised of more than 100 companies which works on railroads, roads, bridges, energy facilities and ports.

The outdated relay-based systems on the route have been replaced with a microprocessor centralization system, MPC-EL-AZ, produced by Azerbaijan’s Rail Trans Service with Russian digital technology. 

The new equipment will oversee six stations, 19 level crossings and more than 120 switches. Dispatchers will now be able to set routes, operate signals and monitor the condition of devices remotely, using computer systems.

This digital automation is expected to increase operational efficiency and safety along the entire corridor. Natsproyektstroy Deputy General Director for Commerce Dmitry Bolotsky has said the upgrade will raise passenger train speeds on the line from 100 km/h to 140 km/h, and freight speeds from 80 km/h to 120 km/h. 

Train intervals are expected to fall from 20 minutes to eight minutes once the new system is fully integrated.

Since 2019, Natsproyektstroy companies have converted 711 switches and 27 stations along the Baku–Boyuk-Kasik line to digital control, including key hubs in Ganja, Yevlakh, Ujar and the power system junction station at Boyuk-Kasik. The group stated that the project has also created jobs in Azerbaijan through localized production, in cooperation with Rail Trans Service.

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