14 infrastructure plans launched at Chabahar Port as INSTC advances
Iran on Thursday inaugurated and launched construction of 14 infrastructure and equipment projects at the strategic port of Chabahar in southeast Iran, as the government pushes ahead with rail connectivity and port development aimed at boosting trade and economic growth.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Roads and Urban Development Minister Farzaneh Sadeq Malvajerd said the completion of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), linking Chabahar to Zahedan and connecting Zahedan to Iran’s national and international rail networks, represented more than a domestic achievement, IRNA reported.
“The major development that will be realized through the rail connection and completion of the north–south rail corridor — meaning the connection of Chabahar to Zahedan and Zahedan to the national and international rail networks — is not merely a domestic event, but a sign of trust in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is evident in all our visits to neighboring and surrounding countries,” Sadeq Malvajerd said.
She described the rail project linking Chabahar to the national rail network as vital, saying completion of the corridor would meet long-standing public demands while delivering major infrastructure gains and economic growth for the port.
Sadeq Malvajerd added that the project was strategically significant and ultimately converged on Chabahar Port, where long-standing commitments had now materialized.
“This is a highly strategic project that ultimately leads to Chabahar Port, where promises and commitments made in past years have now been fulfilled,” she said.
Referring to government efforts to develop transport and housing infrastructure, the minister said, “More than 14 projects in the fields of infrastructure, equipment and maritime safety at Chabahar Port have been completed, which represents significant developments.”
Sadeq Malvajerd also noted a more than 110% increase in the unloading of essential goods at the port.
In a related development, 304 residential units under Iran’s national housing movement were delivered in Chabahar. Each unit covers 140 square meters and was built, benefiting around 1,200 local residents.
On Thursday, Sadeq Malvajerd also ordered the start of rail-laying operations at Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar, funded by the Ports and Maritime Organization. According to IRNA, the initial phase includes 24 kilometers of substructure and 11 kilometers of track installation.
The rail project aims to connect the Makoran coastline to Iran’s national rail grid and the International North-South Transport Corridor. Its objectives include accelerating the export of essential, containerized, and petroleum goods, increasing vessel intake capacity, and enhancing the port’s operational efficiency.