Plans on improving transport service in Bolgar and Sviyazhsk discussed at Tatarstan Government House

On June 13, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov held a meeting on improving transport accessibility in the ancient town of Bolgar and island town of Sviyazhsk.

Russian Minister of Transport Maksim Sokolov and Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev took part in the meeting.

Opening the meeting, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that a number of programmes are realized in the republic in cooperation with Russian Ministry of Transport. He noted that improvement of tourist services in Bolgar and Sviyazhsk is one of priority tasks of Tatarstan transport industry.

Tatarstan Minister of Transport Lenar Safin, who took part in the meeting, said that every year 600 big motor ships that pass through Bolgar and Sviyazhsk cannot moor to the riverbanks because of shallow waters. He informed that dredging works are estimated at 220.9 million roubles, though the sum may be reduced to 151 million.

Russian Minister of Transport Maksim Sokolov said that the Federal Marine and River Transport Agency has worked out the issue and dredging works can be started this year.

Head of Tatarstan State Committee on Tourism Sergey Ivanov informed on organization of air excursions to Bolgar. Maksim Sokolov noted that development of air routes is reasonable considering that Kazan is the centre of regional aviation in Volga Federal District.

Speaking about renewal of river fleet, Rustam Minnikhanov asked to make up business plan and decide on types of passenger vessels.

Mintimer Shaimiev called for increasing tourist flow in Bolgar and Sviyazhsk.