TEHRAN: The significance of Chabahar’s Port in the supply chain between Russia and India via Iran is apparent in India’s willingness to invest heavily and develop it further. Yet, what is considered a crucial transport gateway, which lacks a rail connection to Iran’s central network and the corridors spanning it. This seems to be changing since the first section of the Zahedan-Chabahar railway line is nearing completion and will be inaugurated soon.

The Rasht-Anzali railway has been in the spotlight before. However, the Zahedan-Khash line is of great importance since it will commence linking the Port of Chabahar on the railway network. The total length of the Zahedan-Chabahar line will be 630 kilometres when completed. 

The Zahedan-Khash line covers 154 kilometres out of the total length. Since it is 95 per cent ready, Khademi mentioned that only the final touches remain, and the line will be inaugurated and begin operations soon.

INSTC variation

With the line’s completion in the future-it should take 3 to 4 years until fully operational. However Iran will not only link rail services at the Port of Chabahar but on top of that, it will facilitate the operability of its Eastern Railway corridor that spans between Afghanistan and India (including a sea leg), which is also part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). 

When talking about the INSTC, the Rasht-Astara railway line, also in Iran, is the one thing that comes to mind. However, to avoid any confusion, it should be mentioned that the INSTC does not follow only one route. The Rasht-Astara railway line will become the key to completing the corridor’s Western section, while the Zahedan-Chabahar will contribute accordingly to the corridor’s eastern section, according to Iran Media Reports.