Iran’s deputy minister of Roads and Urban Development said the Rasht-Astara railway project, a vital segment of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), will play a decisive role in connecting Iran’s rail network to Europe once completed.
Houshang Bazvand, who also heads the Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company, said the 160-kilometer route includes 63 bridges stretching a combined 41 kilometers and a 1,960-meter tunnel currently under construction, IRNA reported.
The line is designed for train speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour and will have an annual freight capacity of 15 million tons.
The route will feature 10 stations between Rasht and Astara, with the Rasht and Astara terminals serving as operational hubs. The Lavandevil station in Gilan will provide both passenger services and logistical support, he said.
“The completion of this project will mark a major step in the northern province of Gilan’s economic development and significantly boost Iran’s share of international north-south transit,” Bazvand said.