WANA (Jan 26) – After years of delays caused by financial and operational challenges, one of Iran’s most strategic rail infrastructure projects is approaching completion. The Chabahar–Zahedan railway, considered a vital artery linking Iran’s only oceanic port to the national rail network, is now close to becoming operational.

 

The Chabahar–Zahedan railway is among Iran’s most significant infrastructure projects of the past decade. It was designed to strengthen Iran’s geopolitical position, reduce transportation costs, and promote balanced regional development.

 

The rail line connects Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar to Iran’s national railway network, enabling direct access between southeastern Iran and major domestic and international transport corridors.

 

Once completed, the railway will create a new transit route for cargo movement between Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, and even the Indian subcontinent to the open waters. The corridor is expected to replace part of the costly and high-risk road transport system and enhance Iran’s role in the North–South transport corridor.

 

According to experts, the project will significantly increase Iran’s rail transit capacity and ease pressure on the country’s road network.

 

Latest reports indicate that substructure work is about 96 percent complete, while track-laying has surpassed 75 percent. Station buildings are also nearing completion, with key stations, including Iranshahr Station, almost ready for operation. In the Khash–Iranshahr section, construction has effectively entered its final stages, with new records set in daily rail installation speed.

 

From a technical perspective, the project ranks among Iran’s national megaprojects. It includes the construction of dozens of tunnels and specialised bridges, over 70 million cubic meters of earthworks, and the use of millions of cubic meters of concrete.

 

Most of the work has been carried out by domestic engineers and contractors, with more than 90,000 tons of domestically produced rails used across 450 kilometres of track.

 

According to Houshang Bazvand, CEO of Iran’s Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructure Company, the project’s current value is estimated at $1.5 billion, and the 14th government has prioritised its completion.

 

Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh said the project has progressed at an unprecedented pace, noting that in some periods up to five kilometres of rail were laid per day, demonstrating the country’s technical capacity to execute large-scale rail projects.

 

Beyond transportation benefits, the 634-kilometre Chabahar–Zahedan railway is expected to generate wide-ranging economic and social impacts, including job creation, increased investment in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, and strengthening Chabahar’s role as Iran’s main maritime trade gateway.

 

According to the Minister of Roads, construction, which began in 2010, will be completed by the end of the current year after 15 years. Following the installation of signalling and electronic systems, the railway is expected to become operational starting in June next year.

Wana - North-South Corridor

North-South Corridor. Social media/ WANA News Agency