Russian Railways eyes 2027 start for Rasht–Astara construction

Russia and Iran expect to start building the Rasht–Astara railway in 2027. Russian Railways first deputy chief executive Sergey Pavlov told Interfax that construction is intended to take three years.

Pavlov outlined the plans at the New Silk Way forum on October 15. He said the three-year construction period is set out in the intergovernmental agreement and that survey work is now fully under way.

The project envisages one hundred and sixty-two kilometres of track, eight new stations, fifty-six elevated structures, seventy-three bridges and thirty overpasses. The line is intended to form part of the International North–South Transport Corridor.

The project is valued at €1.6 billion, including €1.3 billion in Russian financing. Its anticipated rail freight volume after completion is at least fifteen million tonnes annually.

The corridor connects northern Europe with the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean through Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Russia, Iran and India signed its founding agreement in 2000. It includes western and eastern routes along the Caspian and a trans-Caspian route.