Tehran, Iran, March. 5
By Kamyar Eghbalnejad – Trend:
Iran enjoys the longest inland route within the International North-South Transport Corridor, therefore, it will earn more benefits compared to the other countries participating in the corridor, Nourollah Beiranvand, the deputy for planning and investment at the Railways of the Islamic Republic of Iran (RAI) told Trend.
Beiranvand said that in addition to its economic benefits, Iran enjoys strategic advantages concerning the corridor.
The International North-South Transport Corridor is meant to connect Northern Europe with Southeast Asia. It will serve as a link connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia. At the initial stage, it is planned to transport 5 million tons of cargo per year through the corridor and over 10 million tons of cargo in future.
In order to complete the mega project of the North-South Corridor, three railroad segments connecting the northwestern city of Qazvin to the border city of Astara should be constructed inside Iran.
The first segment is Qazvin-Rasht, which, according to Iranian officials, is almost completed and expected to be inaugurated soon.
The second segment connecting the cities of Rasht and Astara is expected to be constructed within three years with Azerbaijan’s financial aid.
In the meantime, the sides have already utilized the Astara-Astara segment, which connects the two border cities of the same name in Iran and Azerbaijan.
Javid Gurbanov, chairman of the Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, on March 1 met with Director General of Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Saeed Mohammadzadeh to discuss the latest developments regarding the railway.
During the discussions, it was noted that the International North-South Transport Corridor will unite the railways of the Scandinavian countries, Russia, Azerbaijan in a single network.
Saeed Mohammadzadeh said that this project will strengthen the railway communications of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, the transit and economic potential of these countries, as well as give impetus to the cargo flow in this direction.