Tehran: Iran is developing mutual relations in the field of freight transportation and transit with neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and others, Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh said.
According to Trend News Agency, Sadegh made the remark during a meeting with members of the Iranian Parliament’s Committee on Urban Development. She emphasized the importance of projects and corridors related to transit and freight transportation, highlighting their significance in Iran’s strategy.
Sadegh noted that the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway is underway as part of the North-South International Transport Corridor, with property acquisition for the railway line completed. She also mentioned that rapid progress is being made on the Chabahar-Zahedan railway line, expressing optimism for its timely completion.
Additionally, Sadegh discussed the anticipated completion of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway between Iran and Iraq next year. This development is in line with the intergovernmental agreement signed on September 12, 2000, by Russia, Iran, and India, which established the North-South Transport Corridor aimed at reducing cargo delivery time from India to Russia and Europe.
The Gazvin-Rasht railroad, operational since March 6, 2019, connects Azerbaijan’s railways with Iran’s network, and the ongoing construction of the Rasht-Astara railroad will further enhance this connectivity. The corridor has three directions within Iran, linking it with Turkmenistan and Central Asia, Russia, and Azerbaijan along with other European countries.
A recent agreement between Russia and Iran, signed on May 17, 2023, aims to build the Rasht-Astara railroad in Gilan province. This 163-kilometer railroad with nine stations will improve the North-South corridor, integrating Iran’s network with those of the Caucasus, Russia, and Northern Europe. The Russian side is expected to invest 1.6 billion euros in the project, which is slated for completion within 48 months.