MOSCOW, December 21. /TASS/. The Eastern polygon needs to be expanded not just to the approved figures, but it is also necessary to take into account the capacity reserve, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting on the development of this railways project.

"It is necessary not only to achieve the set targets, but, as they say, to provide for capacity reserves in order, if necessary, to expand the capabilities of the railways in a short time and at low cost," he said.

The head of state drew attention to the fact that when constructing new facilities, one must not forget about the existing infrastructure and maintaining it in standard condition. He stated that this work "has problem areas."

"I would like to stress: there should be one priority - the effective development of the railway network of the Eastern polygon, the timely increase in the carrying capacity of its highways in the interests of the whole country, all our regions, the entire domestic economy, and therefore our citizens, since the new infrastructure means additional jobs , growth in family incomes, broad prospects for business, for updating the appearance of cities and towns," the President summed up.

The Eastern polygon unites the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Baikal Amur Main Line. Now these highways are operating at capacity limits. By the order of the Russian President, the Eastern polygon is being updated. By 2024, it is planned to increase the throughput of highways in the direction of sea ports and border crossings of the Far East to 180 million tons per year.