First deputy chief of South Caucasus railways meets with Ararat province governor

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the sate of the railroads in the province, including installment of automated traffic control system, replacement of outdated cables by new fiber-optical ones and so on.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.-0-