Roads minister prioritizes completion of transit corridors
The minister of roads and urban development emphasized that completing transit corridors is a top priority for the ministry to optimize transit operations, and neighboring countries are relying on Iran’s efforts in the field despite existing limitations and sanctions.
Speaking at a meeting with provincial governors in Tehran on Saturday, Farzaneh Sadeq-Malvajerd stated that while the completion of transit corridors should have been achieved sooner, it is still not too late to act.
She highlighted that countries like China continue to view Iran as a more efficient, cost-effective, and shorter route for cargo transit. This has also encouraged Turkey to increase cooperation with Iran.
Sadeq-Malvajerd stressed that developing border terminals is among the ministry’s key priorities. Over the past five months, she noted, significant efforts have been made to enhance relations with neighboring countries through joint commissions, virtual meetings, and invitations for them to visit Iran to discuss border issues, terminals, and regional connectivity.
Addressing challenges faced by Iranian drivers at the Turkish border, Sadeq-Malvajerd acknowledged the critical role of provincial governors in resolving such issues.
She specifically praised the efforts of West Azarbaijan Governor General Reza Rahmani, whose support enabled Iran to enter negotiations with Turkish officials from a position of strength.
Sadeq-Malvajerd underscored that despite current challenges, including energy shortages, limitations, and the potential for intensified sanctions, transportation and transit remain vital solutions. She called for the necessary infrastructure to be established within the country.
The minister emphasized that the development of transit routes connecting to borders and railways will drive economic growth and wealth creation. She urged governors to advocate for this vision across the government, parliament, and judiciary.
Sadeq-Malvajerd also directed her colleagues at the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development to compile a list of road construction projects requiring less than 20 kilometers to be completed. She revealed that some projects have been under construction for five to 25 years, and completing them would require over 500 trillion rials in funding nationwide.
She also called on governors to prioritize projects comprehensively and not limit asset development to the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. Instead, she encouraged them to identify and prioritize properties and assets belonging to other organizations, leveraging their oversight and paternal approach to drive productivity.