Road project to boost tourism in Sistan and Baluchestan
Tourism, one of the world’s key employment-generating industries, has become a cornerstone of economic growth and regional development in recent decades.
Sistan and Baluchestan Province, with its diverse climate, rich cultural and historical heritage, and pristine natural landscapes, holds significant potential to become a leading tourism destination in Iran. In this context, connecting two tourism villages — Tamandan on the southern slopes of Taftan Mountain in Taftan, and Tamin on the northern slopes in Mirjaveh — could mark a turning point in regional development. Currently, these villages are accessible only via a difficult and unsafe 10-kilometer mountain route, chtn.ir wrote.
The existing dirt track, lacking safety measures, severely limits access for both ordinary tourists and local residents, and is navigable only by locals with specialized vehicles.
Officials say upgrading, securing, and asphalting this route would create a direct physical link between these two key tourism centers of Taftan Mountain and establish a strategic connection between Taftan, Khash, and the border town of Mirjaveh. Acting as a secondary tourism corridor, the road would ease access to natural and cultural attractions, reduce traffic on main routes, and help distribute visitors more evenly across the province.
The project is expected to bring substantial economic and social benefits, including increased tourist arrivals, longer stays, development of local businesses, improved livelihoods, and lower transportation costs.
Morteza Tamandani, a local cultural activist, emphasized that the tourism potential of Taftan Mountain and the opportunity to connect these villages have long been overlooked. He said, “This 10-kilometer route is a hidden treasure. With modest investment and a strategic vision, it can become an economic lifeline for the region. Neglecting this infrastructure has deprived the province of countless opportunities.”
The Head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of Taftan highlighted the technical aspects of the project, noting that upgrading the route requires detailed geological, hydrological, and road engineering studies. Proper implementation, respecting both technical and environmental standards, would not only improve access to Taftan Mountain and surrounding pristine areas but also open a new gateway to cross-border and international tourism through Mirjaveh.
Younes Mirbalochzehi added that realizing this project requires close cooperation among executive agencies and the allocation of national and provincial funding to fully harness the area’s untapped potential.
He underlined that linking Tamandan and Tamin represents not only a critical step in developing the province’s tourism industry but also a unique opportunity to create sustainable employment and improve local livelihoods. The project has been prioritized in the province’s infrastructure development plans, with full efforts underway to secure funding and accelerate implementation, aiming for transformative impact.
Given the economic, social, and tourism potential of the region, upgrading and asphalting the Tamandan–Tamin route is a strategic necessity. This initiative, envisioned as a “golden corridor,” could ensure balanced and sustainable development in eastern Sistan and Baluchestan. Expediting feasibility studies and securing the necessary funding is considered vital, requiring strong support from provincial and national authorities.