The so-called 'silver link' was laid at the Tommot station. The new railway will be completed in 2010. About 21 billion rubles ($1=29 rubles) have been already invested in this project.
The 360-kilometer sector of the Berkatit-Tommot line, which has been put into commission, takes off from the Baikal-Amur Railroad (BAM), said the press service of the Far-Eastern Railway.
The steel line from the BAM to Southern Yakutia has not only linked the republic with the Russian railway network but also contributed to the competitive ability of this northern region as transport expenses have been cut.
According to experts, the freight flow from Yakutia along the new railway will increase the annual load of the Baikal-Amur Railroad by 5-7 million tons.
Above all, the railway will promote exports of coking coal.
