Iran – Turkmenistan Rail route to open in one year

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad stated that the opening of the north south railways, connecting Iran with Turkmenistan will take place in one year. According to the Iranian President, this project, together with some others, will significantly influence the existing economic situation in the region. The railways will pass through Kazakhstani, Turkmen and Iranian territories along the Caspian Sea eastern side. It is estimated that the railway will start functioning next October. 146 km of the track runs through Kazakhstan, 723 km through Turkmenistan and 90 km passes through Iran. This railway will enable to the Central Asian territories to receive access to the Persian Gulf. The agreement on constructing these railways was reached in 2008, and later signed in June 2010.