TEHRAN – The chief executive of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI) on Sunday said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between Iran and Iraq for the completion of the construction operation of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway.
Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash had earlier revealed the start of construction operation of Shalamcheh-Basra railway after the holy month of Ramadan.
Now the chief executive of RAI stated that an MoU was inked between the transport officials of the two neighboring countries for the construction of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway.
During a meeting held between Bazrpash and his Iraqi counterpart Razak Muhibis Al-Saadawi in Tehran last month, the two sides reached an agreement on the completion of the railway.
According to the decisions made in the meeting, it was decided that Iraq will hand over the land to the Iranian side as soon as possible and at the latest by the end of the holy month of Ramadan (April 21).
Also, the construction of infrastructure, pavement and buildings required for the route will be carried out by the Iraqi Republic Railways Company.
The connection of the railway from Iran’s southwestern Shalamcheh town to Basra city in Iraq has been among the issues pursued by the governments of the two countries for many years.
The railway project has faced several problems and obstacles over the past years.