TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (known as RAI) electrified 181 kilometers of railway in 2020, according to data released by the international union of railways (UIC).

As the portal of Iran’s Transport and Urban Development Ministry reported, RAI also managed to turn 2,320 km of single-track railways into double-line ones in 2020.

Based on UIC data, rail freight transportation in Iran increased by 7.6 percent in the mentioned year compared to 2019.

Freight transportation by Iran's rail fleet reached 51 million tons in 2020 to place the country 10th among the UIC member countries. Iran's rail cargo transportation in 2019 was reported to be 46.98 million tons.

Iran has been implementing major railway projects in recent years for completing International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC) and the East-West corridor which pass through the country.

In this regard, the country has signed several agreements and deals with domestic and foreign contractors including Russian Railways.

Russia is going to provide €1.2 billion for the electrification of the Garmsar–Incheh borun railway in Iran. Rasht-Astara railway is another project which is going to be completed in collaboration with Russians.

Back in November, Igor Yevgenyevich Levitin, aide to the president of the Russian Federation, visited Iran on top of a high-ranking delegation to meet with former Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister Rostam Qasemi and discuss the expansion of transport ties.

EF/MA