Armenian Transport Ministry versus South Caucasus Railways

The Armenian Transport Ministry has blocked the decision of JSC South Caucasus Railways head Shevket Shaidulin to close some railway stations. Minister Manuk Vardanian stated that it is not possible as yet to annul this order but the decision has been frozen until August. The Minister stated that the Ministry is against the closing of the Getup, Maralik, Solac and Ijevan stations.

South Caucasus Railways is a daughter company of Russian Railways, which in 2008 signed an agreement to manage it for 30 years. This arrangement could be prolonged for another 20 years. Russian Railways is obliged under the terms of the agreement to invest over USD half a billion, or even more, in the company.