Armenia-Iran railway project takes shape

The Asian Development Bank has allotted the first USD 1 million for the feasibility study for constructing the Armenia-Iran railway. An international tender will be announced for choosing the consultancy firm which will prepare this feasibility study by Spring of 2010.

The construction of a track between Armenia and Iran will cost up to USD 2 billion and the work should be completed in five years. Iran will provide USD 400 million to Armenia, the rest the Armenians will receive from the World Bank and Russian investors. The railway will be 470 km long, 60 km being on Iran territory.

This railway will give Armenia the chance to receive goods through alternative routes. At present it only has rail links with Georgia as Armenia’s contacts with Turkey and Azerbaijan have been blocked since it invaded the Azeri territories of Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

Armenia’s railways are now owned by Russian Railways and run under the name South Caucasus Railways.