Tehran, Iran, Dec.3
Trend:
According to Iranian lawmaker, the newly inaugurated Qazvin-Rasht railway has a remarkable importance in cutting the costs, and transit would be less time consuming.
"By connecting Qazvin- Rasht railroad to Anzali port, the duration of cargo transit from Asia to Europe through the Persian Gulf would be reduced by 22 days," IRNA quoted Member of Parliament Development Committee and Anzali representative Mohammad Hassan Khaste Band as saying.
It is expected the railway would transport 10 milion tons of cargo and 4 million passengers, while connecting Iran to northern neighbors, including Azerbaijan and Russia.
"The distance between Asia and Europe would be reduced by 11,000 kilometers and this is a big necessity for Iran's transit development, " Band said.
"By completing the route, the costs of cargo transit from Asia to Europe would be reduced between 38 to 50 percent," he said, referring to importance of the railway and cargo transit for North- South Transport Corridor in Iran.
"The costs of cargo transfer alongside it's safety are the most important advantages of the railway network and during recent years the process of railway has been completed by the current government," he said.
"During recent years the government has invested heavily in railway infrastructure, meanwhile domestic and foreign private sector can expand investment in the railway fleet,"Band added, referring to the private sector's capacity to invest in rail shipment.