Azerbaijan, Baku, July 2 / Trend T. Jafarov /
A working group consisting of representatives from four countries - Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and India is working over the construction of the Rasht - Astara (Iran) - Astara (Azerbaijan) railway, the Iranian news website Tasnimnews said on Monday according to Head of Business and Marketing Department of the Iranian railway administration Mohammedrza Mohammadi Arasi.
He said the working group discussed the construction of the railway, investments over its construction and other issues. The results will be presented for a decision-making process at the next meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of the four countries.
The construction of the Qazvin - Rasht - Astara (Iran) - Astara (Azerbaijan) railway was discussed at the fifth meeting of the coordinating council of the North-South transport corridor project. The need was stressed to build it as soon as possible.
"There is a railway from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to the city of Qazvin," he said. "The Qazvin - Rasht railway must be constructed in the first half of 2014."
Iranian officials said that the Qazvin - Rasht - Astara railway will be constructed in March next year. The route is very complex and consists of 22 tunnels and 15 special bridges. Around 70 per cent of the work for the construction of 15 tunnels has been fulfilled, he added.
It should be recalled that the Qazvin - Rasht - Astara railway is a part of the North-South transport corridor. Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran are constructing the road.
Around $400 million is planned to be invested in the construction operations.
The volume of cargo transportation via the corridor at the first phase will reach six million tons. In the future, the volume of cargo transportation is planned to be increased to 15 - 20 million tons.
