TEHRAN (Iran News) Taraf stated that a financial agreement had been signed with Russia for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway. However, its implementation requires meeting specific legal, financial, and interdepartmental coordination requirements. He emphasized that there has been no delay in activating the agreement, as these procedures must naturally take their course.

He further explained that technical negotiations between the contractor and the employer were necessary. The Russian-designated contractor, Caspian Service, had to reach an agreement with the project’s employer, the Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructure Company. Given that the Rasht-Astara railway is a major international project, these negotiations were complex and required time to finalize.

Regarding land acquisition for the railway route, Taraf noted that out of the 162-kilometer Rasht-Astara railway, 30 kilometers have been acquired. The remaining land acquisition requires six trillion tomans, which is currently being arranged. He assured that the 30 kilometers of acquired land have already been handed over to the contractor, ensuring that the project has not been stalled.

Taraf emphasized that before the Russian loan payments can commence, certain prerequisites must be fulfilled. These include feasibility studies, design planning, site investigations, and setting up construction workshops along the acquired 30-kilometer stretch. Meanwhile, the remaining land acquisition will continue progressively, with ownership transferred to the contractor as it becomes available.

Regarding the loan’s usage, he clarified that the Russian loan is designated for construction, not land acquisition. The project has a five-year completion timeline, and the Russian loan will be gradually injected over this period to fund studies, design, and construction phases.

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Speaking to ILNA and touching upon talks with Russians for financing the Astara-Rasht railway during recent meeting with Russian Transportation official, Khatibi said that the Astara-Rasht railway is of the most important developmental projects of the country and the country is determined to implement and construct it. He added that this project is the last missing link of North-South Corridor and this corridor due to its length and position in the region creates special transit opportunities and it is important for the country.

He went on to say that since years ago they were aware of the North-South Corridor and its first phase which was from Qazvin to Rasht was implemented and came on stream four years ago, adding that since the first day after the inauguration of Qazvin-Rasht railway, the ministry signed the MoU for executive work of constructing the Astara-Rasht railway and the operation for its substructure in the first 10 kilometers of this route ended, and this year another contract was signed for the 11 kilometers of final part of the route worth of 1,000b tomans.

Khatibi added that they had talks for construction of the middle part of the route which is 140 kilometers and in case of getting required license and budget, the executive measures will be taken.

He admitted that in the issue of financing the Astara-Rasht railway, the ministry looks at its Russian partner, adding that before talks with Russians for financing the project, talks with Azerbaijan continued in this regard and the Azeri side announced that it has no interest in entering the project but Russians are still interested in financing this project and they are serious and they have expressed their interest in recent meetings.

Khatibi went on to say that according to the estimates, excluding the costs of the land for the project, it needs some 800m euros of budget to be completed.

He added that at the same time, the ministry is in talks with some other options for financing and any one creates the access to the financial resources faster than others will be active in the project. He noted that since Russia is one of the countries in this transit route it is natural talks with this country would be pursued seriously.

He admitted that for reaching agreement, the ministry needs time because such agreements are not signed in just one or two meetings and technical and financial committees should be activated and the first meeting of these committees was held.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran’s Road Minister Mohammad Eslami said on Saturday that Baku-Astara highway in Azerbaijan is going to get linked to Rasht-Ardabil highway in Iran.

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Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Younes Ranjkesh said the freighter was damaged in Astara Port around noon (local time) on Thursday and immediately, the rescue and relief teams were dispatched to the area.

After a special rescue operation, the teams managed to tow the cargo ship into the pier in Astara, the official added.

The ship, which belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), was destined for Baku, Azerbaijan, Ranjkesh said, adding that it was carrying 2,000 tons of ceramic tile when it was damaged.

He further emphasized that currently, there is no threat to NARGOL and its crew and an operation to repair its damaged parts will be carried out soon by experts.

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