FIRST DEPUTY CHIEF OF SOUTH CAUCASUS RAILWAYS MEETS WITH ARARAT PROVINCE GOVERNOR

ARKA
Dec 3, 2009

YEREVAN, December 3, /ARKA/. First deputy chief of South Caucasus
Railways Marat Khakov traveled today to Masis station for a meeting
with Ararat province governor Vardkes Hovakimian.

The press service of the South Caucasus Railway said the governor was
shown what the company ahs done to improve the sate of the railroads
in the province, including installment of automated traffic control
system, replacement of outdated cables by new fiber-optical ones and
so on.

The press service said Marat Khakov and Vardkes Hovakimian discussed
also a wide range of issues, including the question of safety on
level crossings. Marat Khakov said the company is ready to ensure
their security.

The two men visited also Yeraskh train station. The governor was
quoted as saying that he was pleased with the quality of restoration
of the railway infrastructure of the province and its modernization
highlighting the role it plays in this region.

In 2007 the Armenian government called tenders for a 30-year concession
to modernize and operate Armenian Railways. The Russian Railways was
the only bidder and has set up South Caucasian Railway as a subsidiary
to run the Armenian Railway. The concession agreement was concluded
for 30 years, with a right of extension for another 20 years after
the first 20 years of operation.