Roads Minister Vows to Add 1500km to Iran’s Rail Network
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami said his ministry plans to add some 1500 kilometers of railroad to the country’s rail network by the end of the current administration’s term in office.
Speaking at a ceremony to launch a new subway station in Hashtgerd in the northern province of Alborz on Tuesday, Eslami highlighted his ministry’s plans to improve the country’s railroad network.
By the end of the current administration, 1500 kilometers of railroad will be added to the network, the minister stated.
In recent years, the Iranian administration has ramped up efforts to boost the country’s railroad industry.
In November, Iran inaugurated a new railroad connecting the northwestern cities of Mianeh and Bostan Abad, which shortens the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
The agreement on the INSTC project was signed in 2012. Among the signatories and acceding countries are Russia, Iran, India, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Oman and Syria. Bulgaria has an observer status in the project.
The INSTC project envisages the construction of transport and infrastructure facilities along the shipping route through India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and North Europe.
The project is aimed at reducing the costs and the time of railroad and maritime deliveries between the countries located along the route.