The Irtysh River may get a unified digital passport. The initiative was put forward by Akim of East Kazakhstan Region Nurymbet Saktaganov at an international forum in Pavlodar. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The "Unified Digital Passport of the Irtysh" is to combine data on depths and water quality, the state of riverbanks, fish resources, navigable sections and hydraulic structures in an updatable information system. Thanks to the new system, regions will be able to use accurate data when planning transportation, dredging and port infrastructure.
To create the system, the head of the East Kazakhstan Region proposed forming a joint working group. It may include government agencies, regions and scientific organizations of Kazakhstan and Russia.
In addition, a new port in the village of Tugyl on Lake Zaisan was presented at the forum. The project is still at the elaboration stage. The basis for the project will be the existing pier, warehouses and the 99-kilometer Tugyl – Maikapshagai railway.
The new port is planned to handle sand, granite, crushed stone and bentonite. Traffic volumes could exceed three million tons per navigation season, but they still need to be agreed with shippers and the economics of the routes calculated.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that Kazakhstan, China and Russia are working on holding trilateral consultations on the joint use of the Irtysh. Experts have already formed an action plan that will help improve water and environmental security, as well as develop energy infrastructure.