TEHRAN, Iran, Dec.10
Trend:
Khaf-Herat railway would provide Afghanistan access to free waters and other countries via Iran, said Deputy Minister of Road and Urban Development.
"Khaf- Herat railway would connect the two countries via railway that inaugurated via video conference by Iranian President Rouhani and his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani," said Saeed Raouli, Trend reports citing Ministry of Road and Urban Development website.
"The following railway has the capacity to transit 1.7 million tons of cargo from Turkey, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Persian Gulf states to Afghanistan via Iran. This is a good opportunity for Afghanistan to have access to free waters and transit export to Turkey and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) through Iran," he said.
"Private sector and railway transport companies and the commercial section of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways had long negotiations in this regard to assigning more shares in transportation to Iran," he noted.
"It is estimated that 3 million tons of cargo would be exported and imported between the two countries in the current situation however this line has the capacity of transporting 6 million tons," he added.
Raouli went on to say that Afghanistan is responsible for the building of the remaining 80 kilometers of the railway to Herat airport and Iran has completed its own part. The railway's current capacity to transit cargo is 6 million tons that have the possibility to be developed that is in Afghanistan's development plan and could be a good corridor to connect China to Iran and transit goods to Europe.
The Iranian government has invested over 28 trillion rials (over $666.6 million) for the completion of the Khaf-Heart railway project.
The 222-kilometers-long Khaf-Herat is part of the Iran-Afghanistan rail corridor and has four sections, the first and second sections are located in Iran while the third and fourth parts start from Shamtigh to Rooznak station and from Rooznak to Herat. Iran has completed its parts and Shamtigh border terminal.