BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 14.​ Iran is
preparing to start construction of the Rasht-Astara railway as part
of the International North-South Transport Corridor, Minister of
Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh said at the
International Conference on Financing and Investment Opportunities
for Iran's Highway and Railway Corridors in Tehran today, Trend reports.


According to her, the construction of this railway line is
already nearing completion.


Sadegh noted that the commissioning of this railway will connect
India and Pakistan to Iran and create conditions for the full
activation of the corridor.


The minister added that in this way, the ports located in the
south of Iran will be connected to the northern borders and the
markets of the Eurasian Economic Union.


The ownership of a 125-kilometer section of land for the
Rasht-Astara railway line, part of the broader 162-kilometer route
running through northern Iran, has already been secured from
private landowners as part of the International North-South
Transport Corridor (INSTC) initiative.


Established through an intergovernmental agreement signed by
Russia, Iran, and India on September 12, 2000, the foundation of
the INSTC aims to enhance cargo transit between India and Russia,
as well as to Northern and Western Europe. So far, 13 countries,
including Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Russia, and Turkey, have
ratified the agreement. Currently, the transport route spans over
six weeks, but once the corridor becomes fully operational, this
time is expected to be significantly reduced to just three
weeks.







The Qazvin-Rasht railroad (175 km), which became operational on
March 6, 2019, serves as a vital link connecting Azerbaijan’s rail
network with Iran’s railway system within the framework of the
corridor. The Rasht-Astara railroad will be constructed on Iranian
soil to further integrate the network.


The North-South Corridor comprises three key directions within
Iran: the eastern route connecting Turkmenistan and Central Asian
countries, the central route linking Russia and other nations
across the Caspian Sea, and the western route connecting
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe.


Meanwhile, Russia and Iran signed an agreement on May 17, 2023,
to build the Rasht-Astara railroad in Gilan Province in northern
Iran. Nine stations will be built on the Rasht-Astara railroad
line, which is about 163 kilometers long. With the completion of
this railroad, the North-South international corridor will be
improved, and Iran's railroad network will be integrated with the
Caucasus countries, Russia, and Northern European countries.
According to the agreement, the Russian side is expected to spend
1.6 billion euro for the construction of this railroad. This
railroad will be built and completed within 48 months.


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