The dossier of the trans-Iranian railroad, prepared in late 2017, has been submitted to UNESCO for inscription in the list of World Heritage Sites. The file will be reviewed and revised by the end of the current summer to fix the shortcomings that UNESCO experts will possibly point out, Vahid Aliqardashi, head of infrastructure engineering management at the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Company said.
"Heritage experts and inspectors from UNESCO will scrutinize the nominated railroad in person during their planned visit to Iran next year for final decision," the website of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, quoted Aliqardashi as saying.
If everything goes well, the official said, the railroad will be the country's first operating cultural and industrial item being inscribed as a global heritage. As Aliqardashi stated, the international status is expected to positively affect employment and tourism inside the country.
Features
The trans-Iranian railroad was officially inaugurated and opened to the public in 1938. The 1394-kilometer long Trans-Iranian Railway was built at a width of 1.4 meters with 90 working stations along its route.
It starts at a point north of Torkaman port located southeast of the Caspian Sea. After going through Sari and Qaemshahr cities, the railroad enters the mountainous region of Alborz through the high Firouzkouh Pass, which is linked to Tehran and Varamin Plain by numerous picturesque bridges and tunnels.
Further, after crossing low lands of Qom and Arak, the Trans-Iranian Railway enters Zagros highlands in Lorestan Province and after passing through a large number of tunnels and bridges reaches Andimeshk situated in the low Khuzestan Plain.
Finally extending toward Dezful, Ahvaz and its grand bridge on Karoun River, the Trans-Iranian Railway is divided into two branches ending separately at Khorramshahr and Imam-Khomeini ports on the Persian Gulf. Among the unique characteristics of this route is its geographical variety, specific landscapes of multiple climates of Iran as well as its amazing views. An impressive array of beautiful natural resources, including mountain ranges, ponds, peaks, slopes, forests, plains and grasslands as well as deserts and steppes can be seen on this path along with a variety of climates such as temperate, humid, arid and hot conditions.
Since its inauguration, it has retained its key role on cultural interaction and development of urban, rural and tribal or nomadic life of Iranian people. Additionally, its historical, technical, engineering, cultural, economic and commercial values have been preserved within the framework of its primary function.
(Photo Credit: Jean-Mark Frybourg, Railpictures.net)
