Turkey has taken a significant step towards expanding electrified rail transport, receiving $660 million in financing from the World Bank for the Eastern Turkey Middle Corridor Railway Development Project. The project aims to modernize one of Turkey’s oldest railway networks, providing economic, environmental and social benefits.
Scope and Objectives of the Project
The 660-kilometer electric railway line covering the provinces of Tokat, Sivas, Erzincan, Erzurum and Kars in Eastern Turkey has an important place in the project. In particular, the modernization of the section from the Divriği district of Sivas to Kars is planned. Thanks to this modernization, fully electric trains will be used instead of diesel-powered trains, thus making transportation in the region more environmentally friendly.
When the project is completed, the annual freight carrying capacity of the railway line is expected to increase from 750 tons to 20 million tons. This capacity increase will greatly contribute to the development of trade and logistics in the region. In addition, reducing the share of road transport in transportation will have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Since more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector are related to road transport, this project plays a key role in reducing carbon emissions.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
The project’s environmental benefits include preventing 72 tons of carbon emissions annually, with this amount expected to rise to 332 tons by 2060. This is seen as an important step in Turkey’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions. In addition, the EU is expected to impose tariffs on carbon-intensive products before 245, so the project is critical to the competitiveness of Turkish exporters.
In economic terms, the project will increase the welfare of approximately 600 people in the region. This project, which will also provide significant support for local companies and agricultural enterprises, will revitalize the regional economy by expanding the volume of business and trade.
This project, which will be carried out with the support of the World Bank, will not only modernize Turkey’s railway network, but will also be a significant milestone in terms of environmental sustainability and economic development. The project is planned to be fully operational by 2030 and will accelerate Turkey’s achievement of its green transportation goals and increase its competitiveness in international trade.
