The Russian leadership has directed the national government to map out concrete steps that will accelerate the progression of the third phase of the Eastern railway corridor. This directive was outlined in a release from the Kremlin and underscores a strategic push to expand capacity and improve logistics in eastern Russia. The plan signals a clear timetable for moving from high level decisions to tangible actions on infrastructure that connects key industrial regions with Europe and Asia. The focus is on building momentum, aligning financial resources, and sequencing work so that the fourth quarter of the current planning cycle sees measurable progress rather than deferred goals. The emphasis is on translating a policy frame into concrete construction and system enhancements that will support sustained growth in rail traffic and regional development.
According to the directive, the government should reach decisions that ensure the initiation of the third phase of the Eastern Railway Zone’s development, including setting the parameters for practical implementation. The aim is to prepare for a potential start of architectural and civil design and the beginning of major capital construction projects by the end of this phase, with a target year of 2023 in view. The release presents a roadmap that balances technical readiness with budgetary planning, aiming to align engineering work with financing and procurement timelines so that construction activities can commence within the stated window.
Key accountability for carrying out the plan rests with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the General Director of OJSC Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov, and Ruslan Baysarov, the owner of Bamtonnelstroy-Most JSC. Their assignment is to oversee the implementation, ensuring cross-ministerial coordination, supplier engagement, and oversight of milestones. This leadership setup reflects a nationwide effort to synchronize government policy with railway corporate execution, aiming to deliver on promised improvements in reliability and capacity while maintaining strict oversight over costs and timelines.
The government’s schedule calls for a formal briefing on the results of the implemented measures by December 15, with performance against milestones to be reviewed and reported. This cadence signals a cadence of accountability and a preference for timely updates to support continued political and economic emphasis on the eastern corridor. The plan envisions a staged evaluation that will consider technical readiness, project risk, and the readiness of ancillary services that support expanded rail activity, including signaling, rolling stock, and network maintenance capabilities.
Looking ahead, the core objective of the second phase involves completing the major expansion of the eastern test site and advancing infrastructure work that ties the Baikal-Amur Mainline and the Trans-Siberian routes to new capacity. The larger ambition includes the West Siberian railway corridor and the broader aim of increasing carrying capacity to as much as 255 million tons by 2032. Upon completion, this capacity uplift is expected to support higher volumes of freight, greater regional integration, and improved efficiency across the wider rail network. The plan situates the eastern corridor within a national freight strategy that prioritizes growth in strategic commodities and regional development opportunities.
Earlier discussions in the Cabinet addressed the financial plan and the investment program for Russian Railways, highlighting the financial framework that will support these expansive rail initiatives. The integration of budgetary planning with project execution is central to ensuring that funding aligns with construction milestones, procurement cycles, and long-term maintenance needs. The overarching objective remains to reinforce the reliability of the rail system, boost the flow of goods, and sustain economic activity across the eastern territories and beyond.