Chongqing - A light rail line in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, has entered operation, marking the opening of Central Asia's first urban light rail transit system.

The first phase of the Astana light rail project began service on May 16, according to China State Construction Bridge Corp, a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corp, that served as a major contractor on the project. The company described the line as a key outcome of cooperation between China and Kazakhstan under the Belt and Road initiative.

The first phase of the Astana Light Rail Transit project in Kazakhstan, the first urban light rail line in Central Asia, begins operations. (Photo/China State Construction Bridge Engineering)

The 22.4-kilometer line has 18 stations and links Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in the south with Astana's new railway station in the north. Along the route, it connects major destinations including Nazarbayev University, the Expo Park, the Central Concert Hall, and the National Museum. Trains are designed to operate at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour.

China State Construction Bridge Engineering said it built nine stations, five line sections, and one depot for the project. The company said the system was constructed using Chinese technology, standards, and equipment, and incorporates fully automated, driverless operation, and engineering adaptations for extremely cold weather.

Astana's winter conditions posed significant construction challenges. Temperatures can fall to minus 40 degrees Celsius, while the city's annual construction window is less than six months, according to the company. It said the project also faced geological complexity and a compressed building schedule.

"Extreme cold places higher requirements on materials, techniques, and equipment for light rail construction," said Ji Chenglong, executive manager of the Astana light rail project at China State Construction Bridge Engineering.

Ji added that the project used building information modeling, intelligent welding robots, and prefabricated construction methods to improve quality and efficiency.

A representative of Astana Urban Transport Systems, the Kazakh project owner, said the light rail line is an important part of efforts to improve public transport, optimize the city's layout, and support sustainable urban development.

The line is also expected to shorten cross-city commutes. During peak travel periods, the end-to-end journey is projected to fall from about 60 minutes by private car to 28 minutes by light rail.

China State Construction Bridge Engineering said the Astana project reflects its overseas expansion in infrastructure construction. The company said it was founded in Chongqing's Jiangjin district in 2017 and has worked on projects across major waterways and transport corridors in China, as well as on large sea-crossing bridges.