In September 2023, the construction of the Shalamcheh-Basra Railway was Kicked off. Since then, the demining of land has progressed for 2 km in Iraq's territory and 1.5 km in Iran's territory. Also, construction of a bridge over the Shatt al-Arab (Arvand River) is ongoing by Iranian companies.
Iraq is advancing land acquisition along the project and it is expected to be finished in a month, according to Bazrpash.
The tender for the construction of the 32 km Shalamcheh-Basra Railway is already held in Iraq and the company is also determined. Iranian companies are also supposed to help in this regard.
Iran and Iraq are determined to complete the 32 km Shalamcheh-Basra Railway as a historical link.
Upon the completion of the Shalamcheh-Basra Railway, the rail network of the two countries will be connected. The railway lines in Iran are connected to the border point of Shalamcheh. Also, in Iraq, the railway is connected from Basra to cities such as Karbala and Baghdad.
Additionally, in the meeting, some agreements were reached for the travel of pilgrims particularly during Arbaeen through different modes of transport. For this year, it was decided to add a marine route between the two ports of Iran and Iraq to transfer pilgrims, according to Bazrpash.
Another agenda in the meeting was an increase in transit between the two countries as per the comprehensive transit plan. In 2023, Iran's transit with the neighboring countries recorded a 58 percent increase reaching more than 14.7 million tons of cargo which turned out to be an unprecedented record.
Completion of the Kermanshah-Islamabad-e Gharb-Khosravi Railway project as one of the main railway routes of Iran was discussed and Iran asked Iraq to join the project for mutual benefits from the project, the Minister of Roads and Urban Development stated.
According to Bazerpash, this route facilitates Iran's access to Syria and the Mediterranean Sea through Iraq, and by using this route, Iraq can access the markets of Iran and Central Asian countries faster and cheaper.
The issue was proposed as a strategic model and it was decided to be put on the agenda as an important project in the next phases of the negotiations between the two countries, Bazrpash reminded.
In this meeting, negotiations were also held regarding the increase of airport services and flights to transfer Iranian pilgrims to Iraq and Iraqi pilgrims to the holy city of Mashhad.
Bazarpash said the records show that the number of Iran's flights to Najaf and the number of Iraqi visitors to Iran have increased.
Improvement of transport infrastructure for the development of tourism in Iran and Iraq has been one of the important issues in the negotiations between the two countries.
SD/mrud.ir