BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Since China, Afghanistan, and Iran are neighboring countries, the distance and cost of railway transportation between the three countries can be seriously reduced, Iran's Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and Director General of Railway Administration Jabbar Ali Zakeri said at a meeting with Director of Afghanistan Railway Administration Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada on November 19, Trend reports.
According to him, the proposal has been put forward by Iran and is the only direction that can be comprehensively effective in freight transportation. Based on this, the completion of the Herat railroad line within the set schedule is of great importance.
Zakeri noted that the existence of a railroad line in northwestern Afghanistan close to its joint border with Iran is a great opportunity for freight transportation between the two countries.
At the meeting, Director of Afghanistan Railway Administration Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada also expressed his hope that, based on the studies conducted, there is a great potential for freight transportation in the direction of China-Afghanistan-Iran. Afghanistan is ready to take the necessary steps in this direction together with Iran.
Sahibzada added that studies are underway for the construction of the Zaranj-Kandahar railroad line in Afghanistan. The connection of this railroad line to the Iranian city of Zabol will open a new page in the trade of the two countries. Joint cooperation between the two countries will lead to an increase in freight transportation, which will lead to an increase in trade turnover between the two countries.
To note, the length of railway lines in Iran is currently 14,984 kilometers. A total of 993 locomotives, 29,950 freight cars, and 2,178 passenger cars are operating on Iran's railroad lines.