Astara-Astara Railroad Launch by Dec. 25

Astata-Astara Railroad connecting Iran’s northwestern city of Astara to the Azerbaijani city with the same name will come on stream by Dec. 25, director general of International Affairs Office with the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways said. Abbas Nazari added that the two sides have negotiated issues related to customs procedures and visa issuance, as well as how to make use of the cargo terminal in Iran’s Astara, Mehr News Agency reported. The Astara-Astara Railroad, which is part of a bigger project to connect Iran and Azerbaijan’s rail system, runs 8 kilometers in Azerbaijan up to the border from where it extends 2 km to Iran’s port city of Astara.  The project also includes a bridge on Astarachay River, which stretches along the border.  Tehran and Baku are working to connect their railroads as part of the International North-South Transportation Corridor, which is aimed at connecting Northern Europe with Southeast Asia.