The share of Iran’s railroads in land transit reached 30% during the first half of the current Iranian year (March 20-Sept. 21), showing a 220% increase compared with last year, according to the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways.
“Last year [March 2019-20], the figure stood at 10%. The increase in railroad’s share from transit over the six-month period is partly due to the closure of road border crossings after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Saeed Rasouli was also quoted as saying by the news portal of the Roads and Urban Development Ministry.
The official added that with the official inauguration of Khaf-Herat railroad in the coming weeks, the share of railroad in land transit can further increase since this route’s capacity amounts to 2 million tons.
Iran’s first export consignment has arrived in Afghanistan via Herat-Khaf railroad and was warmly welcomed by Afghans, Bakhtar News Agency reported on Friday.
The shipment containing 500 tons of cement was dispatched on a trial basis to identify any possible problems and challenges on the route.
The railroad will be officially inaugurated in the coming days by the officials of two countries.
The railroad’s construction got underway in 2007 and connects the city of Herat in Western Afghanistan to Iran’s rail network. When completed and inaugurated, the route is predicted to transport 2 million tons of goods and 200,000 passengers annually.
The Khaf-Herat railroad is significant not only in terms of transportation of commodities and passengers, but also because it links northern Afghanistan to Iran and the high seas and even European countries.
The railroad will also facilitate the transportation of goods to East Asian nations via Afghanistan.