Shalamcheh-Basra Railway to Connect Iran to West Asia, Mediterranean: Roads Minister
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Pointing to the serious determination of Iran and Iraq to complete the construction operation of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway, Iran’s minister of roads and urban development termed this giant project ‘important’ for the two countries.
Once the Shalamcheh-Basra Railway project is completed, Iran will be connected to West Asia and the Mediterranean, which is promising news, Mehrdad Bazrpash emphasized.
Iran had previously decided to complete the construction operation of the Shalamcheh-Basra Railway with its own investment, but since this giant project was very important and strategic for Iraq, the Iraqi government approved about $200 million for launching this railway project as a joint venture.
Accordingly, it was agreed that construction of rail will be carried out by Iraqi investors while Iran will carry out demining 16 kilometers of the rail line, Iran’s roads minister noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Bazrpash pointed to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and said that Iran has taken serious steps to contribute to the launch of this strategic corridor.
After an agreement reached with Russia on the construction of the Rasht-Astara Road, Iran agreed to complete the construction operation of the South to North Corridor with neighboring Iraq, the roads minister added.