TEHRAN- Iranian railway fleet received 428 new domestically-made and renovated wagons and locomotives worth 16.18 trillion rials (about $42.29 million) in a ceremony on Tuesday.

Of the mentioned 428 wagons and locomotives, 405 were new freight wagons, nine were new locomotives, three were renovated locomotives, and 11 were renovated passenger wagons, IRNA reported.

The new and renovated locomotives were produced by various companies and firms including Mapna Group, Pars Wagon, Karaj Locomotive Restoration Factories, Mobarakeh Steel, Alborz Niro, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (known as RAI).

The development of the railway sector has been one of the macro policies of the Iranian government as it has been emphasized by the general policies of the country’s national development plans.

In this regard, the national railway fleet has constantly received new domestically-made locomotives and wagons in the past and current Iranian calendar years.

As the first stage of the program for the renovation of the country’s railway fleet in the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21), 156 freight wagons, three locomotives including two renovated ones and a newly made one by MAPNA Group, as well as 10 renovated passenger wagons had joined the railway fleet in early July.

In the second stage of the program, 413 new domestically-made locomotives and wagons worth over $35 million were added to the railway fleet in late October.

Advantages such as consuming less fuel and creating less pollution as well as high safety attach priority to the railway when compared to some other transportation systems, and make its development economically viable.

EF/MA