Construction of Ahvaz-Isfahan Electric Railroad to Begin Soon

Construction of the 500-kilometer-long Ahvaz-Isfahan electric railroad is scheduled to begin in the near future. 
“The project is estimated to cost €2.5 billion to €3 billion,” said Hossein Mirshafi, advisor to the roads minister for infrastructural and special project affairs.
“The project, connecting Khuzestan Province to Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari and Isfahan provinces, will be funded by local companies, though we might seek foreign investments as well. Construction will begin using state revenues and tenders will be held to choose the investors and contractors,” he was quoted as saying by Fars News Agency.
Mirshafi noted that the project begins in Ahvaz, in the southern Khuzestan Province, and ends in the provincial capital of Isfahan.
The advisor further said about 70 kilometers of tunnels, cutting through the Zagros mountain ranges, connect the different parts of the railroad.
“The ministry will use the capacity and capabilities of domestic companies in providing the requisite rails and fleet, apart from setting up the power transmission lines and electrification of the project,” he added.
Mirshafi said the ministry expects the project to become operational within five years.