Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that the Turkmenistan-Iran railway will open next year, Mehr news agency reported.
During the ceremony of commissioning the Iranian branch of the Turkmenistan-Iran gas pipeline, Ahmadinejad said there were projects between the two countries that would have a big impact on the economic situation in the region. According to him, the railway project has special significance and plays an important role in the transport system of the region.
The initial agreement on the Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan railway project was reached in 2008 and the final agreement was signed by the leaders of three countries in June 2010. The 1000 km-long railroad is designed for transportation of 3-5 million tons goods per year.
According to the project, 700 km of the railway will be built in Turkmenistan, 90 km in Iran and 210 km in Kazakhstan.