Iranian railway fleet received 319 domestically-made wagons and locomotives worth 94.6 trillion rials (about $34 million) in a ceremony on Monday.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Road and Urban Development Rostam Qassemi, IRNA reported.
Some 305 new freight wagons, six newly-made locomotives, seven renovated passenger wagons, and a renovated locomotive joined the railway fleet in the said ceremony.
The mentioned wagons and locomotive have been manufactured and renovated by domestic companies namely Novin Sanat Raja, Wagon Kowsar Company, Wagon Pars Company, Green Plour Industrial Group, and Iranian Rail Industries Development Company, as well as Mapna.
Minister of Road and Urban Development Rostam Qassemi is seen in a ceremony where 319 domestically-made wagons and locomotives are added to Iranian railway fleet on July 4, 2022.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Qassemi referred to the capabilities of domestic manufacturers to build wagons, rail infrastructure, and even locomotives, saying that there is a need for developing the country’s railway network and consequently the railway fleet since the country is facing an increasing demand for domestic freight rail transportation.
According to the minister, in addition to the domestic demand for rail transportation, the country’s neighbors are also calling for new corridors to transit their goods through Iran.
“Recently, we have signed a contract with Russia to transport 10 million tons of cargos to the Persian Gulf nations. Turkmens are also looking for a cargo transportation contract through Iran's transit channel. Turkey has also made such a request and a delegation from the country is going to visit Iran in the next few days,” he said.