Railway “Shalomcheh; Basra”; Iran -Iraq Railway Strategic Project – Mehr News Agency | Iranian and world news

Mehr News Agency, International Group: The Shalomcheh Basra Railway is not only a simple construction project, but also a strategic path to connect Iran’s heart to Iraq and a gateway to the Arab world. This rail line can help facilitate the travel of millions of pilgrims and promote economic and transactions between the two countries. However, many years of delays in its implementation have taken great opportunities from Iran and Iraq. This route 1 The kilometer will not only facilitate the traffic of millions of pilgrims, but will also play a key role in the transit of goods and strengthen the economic relations between the two countries. With recent advances such as the completion of mining and the start of bridging operations, the project has become a symbol of rail diplomacy and regional cooperation..

The Shalamcheh Basra Railway is a strategic project to connect Iran’s rail network to Iraq, extending from the Shalamcheh border in Khuzestan province to Basra as the golden gate of Iraq in the south of the country. This railway, with an approximate length 1 The kilometer and crossing the Arvand River (Shatt al -Arab) forms part of the east -west rail corridor, connecting Iraq to Central Asia, Central Asia and East Asia.

The project is of great importance due to facilitating the traffic of Iranian pilgrims and Iraqi pilgrims in Mashhad and the transfer of part of the $ 2 billion trade between Iran and Iraq. This plan, which annually displacement capacity 1 It has millions of tons and millions of passengers, part of the two countries’ “Rail Diplomacy” strategy and can turn Iran into a transit hub in the region.

The project has made significant progress at present (August and September 1). Mining 1 Kilometers on Iraqi soil, with a depth 1 Meter and width 1 M) Completed and operational operations in February 1 (February 1) With a credit of overcrowding 1 Thousand trillion riyals began. Iraq in February 1 With the Spanish company. ” Imathia Construcción SL»To build 1 The kilometers of the contract and the Iraqi cabinet approved the plan. Physical progress until June 1 To 1 The percentage reached, focusing on the bridge and removing the conflict. May in May 1The Iranian Road Minister traveled to Iraq to monitor progress and emphasized that the mining of most of the route was carried out with the support of the Iraqi government.

Iran Railway Director (Sayed Miad Salehi) in July 1 He visited the border of Shalamcheh and announced that the project was going fast. The purpose of completing the bridge before Arbaeen 1 (October 1) That makes it possible to facilitate the movement of millions of pilgrims. These advances are part of the plan to increase the bilateral trade to 1 Billion dollars annually and the cost of transit up to 1 The percentage reduces the percentage.

Challenges and interests

The main challenges include financial problems (1 Million euros of private capital), remaining mines and bilateral coordination. However, the economic interests are impressive: saving on travel time (from 4-5 Hours by bus to 4-5 Minutes by train, employment in Iraq and strengthening regional transit. From a geopolitical point of view, this project strengthens Iran-Iraq relations and makes Iran more resistant to sanctions. Also, by connecting to the ports of Basra, export opportunities for Iranian goods will increase. In the religious field, facilitating the traffic of pilgrims in Arbaeen (millions of people) is cultural and social importance.

Conclusion

The Shalomcheh Basra Railway Project, after decades of delay, now with the advances of the year 1 Like the completion of the mineral and the start of the operation, it approaches the final stages. The project not only reinforces trade and transit, but also symbolizes Iran-Iraq cooperation against regional challenges. By completing it up to 1Iran can play the role of the Middle East Rail Hub, subject to the resolution of remaining financial and political challenges. Is.