Peak for rail operations: Deputy min. reports 3,600 km railway expansion in year
Iranian Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Hooshang Bazvand announced Friday that approximately 3,600 kilometers of railway are under construction across the country, describing the current year (which began on March 21) as one of the most flourishing periods for rail-laying and railway operations in Iran.
Speaking during a test train journey on the railway route from Mianeh to Ardabil in northwestern Iran, Bazvand, who also serves as CEO of the Railway Infrastructure Development Company, stated, "This year the railway routes of Ardabil-Mianeh with 145 kilometers and Khash-Iranshahr with 152 kilometers will become operational and rail-laying of nearly 300 kilometers from Iranshahr to Chabahar (in southeastern Iran) will also be completed."
Regarding the test journey on the Mianeh-Ardabil route, he said, "Fortunately this important demand of the people, namely the Ardabil-Mianeh railway, has been realized."
He added that currently the officials and technical staff at the ministry “are engaged in monitoring everything on this railway route and the test journey so that this journey reaches its destination well and the project is prepared for official inauguration with the presence of national authorities.”