Tehran,Iran,March 3
Trend:
Iran expects the inauguration of Qazvin -Rasht railway and its connection to Astara would speed up cargo transportation and reduce the costs for markets.
"Railway transportation is more economical for merchants than roads and sea,” said the director general of Anzali customs Abolghasem Yussefi Nejad, Trend reports citing IRNA.
Referring to agricultural products of Gilan province he said transporting agricultural products and goods to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and even Europe would have low cost.
The official noted the negotiations between Iran and Azerbaijan are underway over Rasht railway connection between Astara in Iran and Astara in Azerbaijan that would link to the International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC). “Establishing this corridor would bring profits for Gilan and other provinces. It would also be efficient for CIS and Europe, as it would connect them to open waters in Persian Gulf through railway."
"From the start of the current Iranian year (started March21,2018), 3,652 wagons with 232,467 cargo tonnage have transported exported and imported goods via Rasht-Astara railroad. If the transit route is completed, Iran can export cargoes from other provinces, he added.
The Qazvin-Rasht railway is 164 km long, and is further connected to Anzali and Astara. Construction of the Rasht-Qazvin Railway Project has started in 2006.
The Qazvin-Rasht-Astara railway is part of the North-South Transport Corridor to connect Northern Europe and South Asia, including the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.