TESTING has begun on a line into the exclusion zone surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant following reconstruction works completed by Ukraine Railways (UZ).
The line from Vilcha and Yaniv stations reconnects the exclusion zone to Ukraine’s main rail network. It’s planned that spent nuclear fuel will be moved by rail to Chernobyl from three nuclear plants: Rivne, Khmelnytsky and South-Ukraine.
Preparations are now underway for the start of rail services, says UZ acting chairman, Mr Ivan Yurik. Yurik says the work to rebuild the 24.56km line took one month to complete, with 95 staff working on the site.
All work was carried out in accordance with the Radiation Safety Rules during work in the exclusion zone and zone of mandatory resettlement.
Ownership of the Vilcha - Yaniv line was transferred to Ukrainian state-owned nuclear power plant operator NNRGC on February 3.
