The Prime Minister of Karelia Pavel Chernov
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On October 27 the Prime Minister of the Government of Karelia Pavel Chernov and the Oktyabrskaya Railroad Chief Victor Stepov held a working meeting in Petrozavodsk where completion of preparation for start-up of electric trains on Idel-Svir piece of line was discussed. By the completion of the joint project of Oktyabrskaya Railroad and the Government of Karelia on electrification of the republican piece of line, on electric traction will used to reach from Murmansk to Moscow. The project has been launched in 2000; the general extent of the piece of line to be provided with electric power makes 270 kms. The electric train traffic will be started here on December, 1.
The Oktyabrskaya Railroad Chief Victor Stepov
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As Victor Stepov has informed, the year Oktyabrskaya Railroad has invested 3,5 billion roubles in electrification, and the total cost of works for 3 years has made 15 billion roubles. Besides the power line, regional traction substations and a new park for passenger trains reception and departures at Svir station have been constructed within the farmework of the project.
Now commission of Segezha traction substation planned on the middle of December remains the only problem to be solved, however it will not affect the electric trains' start-up date.
The working meeting
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Pavel Chernov has noted that the railroad electrification is of great importance for Karelia. "On the one hand, it means improvement of ecological conditions, and on the other hand, it means investment in the economics of the republic and new workpaces for its citizens," - the Prime Minister has noted. In turn, Victor Stepov has rated highly participation of the Government of Karelia in the project implementation: "Comparing to other regions, I can tell, that in Karelia we have achieved complete common understanding with regional authorities, and much would not have been made without efforts of the Government of the republic on the project organization."
Oktyabrskaya Railroad and the Government of Karelia also plan jont completion of electrification of Ledmozero-Kochkoma piece of line which is 120 kms. long. As Pavel Chernov has pointed out, this project is rather important as it opent the way to Finland, Sweden, and Norway.
Pavel Chernov and Victor Stepov have also discussed aspects of preferential transport service for the population. It is supposed that during the start-up of the electrified piece of line the meeting of the president of Russian Railways, Inc., Vladimir Yakunin and the Head of Karelia Sergey Katanandov where the agreement on subsidizing preferential suburban transportations from the budget of the republic will be signed takes place. As Pavel Chernov has emphasized, next year the right of citizens of Karelia to preferential travel in suburban railway transportation will be provided no less than the level of this year.
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