KTZ Track Maintenance and Commercialisation Project

complete

Introduction of improved track maintenance on the Almaty-Astana line, and assistance in a pilot staff retrenchment and retraining programme. The EBRD will finance track maintenance equipment and severance payment/retraining expenses, while technical cooperation funding will assist in project implementation and the improvement of KTZ’s institutional framework and management instruments. The project aims to introduce improved track maintenance methods, and improve labour productivity through workforce downsizing. Proceeds will be used to finance several contracts for track maintenance equipment and material, and severance payment/retraining expenses for redundant staff. The project is expected to have positive impacts on the transition by: Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) is Kazakhstan’s national railway company. The company had a turnover of US$ 960 million in 1998, mainly derived from its freight activity (88 percent) and employs 148,405people (1998). KTZ incurred losses in 1998 due to the adverse market conditions post the Russian crisis. Sovereign-guaranteed loan of up to US$ 65 million (EUR 61.3 million) and grant funding for technical cooperation of EUR 2.0 million equivalent. US$ 92 million (EUR 86.8 million) The project was screened B/0, requiring an Environmental Analysis, which will be performed as part of the grant-financed technical cooperation projects. The investment project was preceded by a pre-investment study, which has identified potential environmental issues that may be associated with the investments and need to be assessed during project preparation. These issues include construction-related impact, such as pollution of soil and water resources, changes in local hydrology, noise and dust disturbance and disposal of spoil and other waste materials. The project will be accompanied by three technical assistance projects. The terms of reference for these technical assistance projects provide for an environmental analysis of the proposed investments and for assistance to KTZ in developing an Environmental Management Plan. During the operation and maintenance phase adequate provision will be made for disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes, water run-offs and possible increased noise along the railway corridors. As a condition of the Bank’s involvement in the financing of the investments, KTZ will need to develop in-house capacity for environmental management and to develop an Environmental Management Plan. The safety in rail cargo transport is expected to increase through the introduction of improved track maintenance methods. Technical cooperation consists of: