Three renovated railway stations have been commissioned in the Abai region, reports infohub.kz.
As part of the head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's instruction and the national company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy's program to modernize station infrastructure across the country, renovation of 124 stations has begun, including 10 in the Abai region. Today, renovated stations at Ushbiik, Zharma, and Shar in the Zharma district were opened. The akim of the region, Berik Uali, took part in the opening ceremony.
The modernization works were carried out on the order of the national company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy with the support of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Transport, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, and the akimat of the Abai region.
The head of the region noted the special significance of the renovated stations for residents. "The railway is one of the strategically important transport systems connecting populated areas of our country. Therefore, updating its infrastructure and creating comfortable conditions for passengers is an important task dictated by time. The head of state, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, pays special attention to enhancing the country's transport and logistics potential, modernizing railway infrastructure, and improving the quality of passenger service. We believe that renovating stations in line with modern requirements has become an important decision that meets the needs of residents. Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the residents of the region, I express sincere gratitude to all citizens and specialists who contributed to the implementation of these significant projects. Today, in the Zharma district, located at the intersection of important transport routes, we are opening three new stations at once. May they provide passengers with comfortable conditions and contribute to the further development of the Zharma district! I wholeheartedly congratulate everyone on this momentous event!" said Berik Uali.
All three stations hold a special place in the region's transport system. Passenger trains pass through them on routes such as Semey – Astana, Novosibirsk – Almaty, Pavlodar – Almaty, Semey – Kyzylorda, and Ust-Kamenogorsk – Almaty.
The railway station in the city of Shar was built in 1982. During modernization, the total area of the building increased from 413 to 654 square meters. The one-story facility became two-story, and the interior was completely renovated. An elevator was installed, and waiting and service areas were equipped with necessary amenities. Additionally, a previously missing island platform with a length of 716 meters was built at the station.
The railway station at Ushbiik was built in 1995. The last major repair of the facility was carried out in 2012. As a result of modernization, the total area of the building increased from 83.7 to 201.1 square meters. The interior was updated, and waiting and service rooms were equipped with necessary amenities.
The station building at Zharma was built in 1996. Based on the results of a technical survey, the old building was completely dismantled, and a new station was erected in its place. The total area of the facility increased from 217 to 347.7 square meters. The interior was reconfigured, and waiting and service areas were brought in line with modern requirements. Additionally, 650 meters of the platform were renovated.
At all three stations, special attention was paid to passenger safety and comfort, as well as creating an accessible environment for people with special needs.