The inauguration of the Gorgan-Inche Borun railway is scheduled for December 3, in the presence of the presidents of Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, IRNA quoted minister of Road and Urban Development Abbas Akhundi as saying. “The new railway line will have a positive effect on the region. Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan enjoy a longstanding relationship,” the minister said, adding “this route will play an important role in the development of peaceful trade agreements among the countries of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).” Passenger trains can run up to speeds of 160 km/h, whereas cargo trains have the maximum speed of 120 km/h. According to the deputy of the contractor company Seyed Masud Nasr-Azadani, construction of the Gorgan-Inche Borun railway cost a total of $48,43 million. The construction started in 2012 and covered 900 km, with 80 km in Iran, 700 km in Turkmenistan, and 120 km in Kazakhstan. “On the basis of the negotiations we had with Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, we agreed on a competitive tariff” Nasr-Azadani said.
