TEHRAN — The project to construct Shiraz-Bushehr-Assaluyeh railway will be launched next Iranian year (to start March 21, 2007), the Public Relations Dept. of Pars Special Energy Economic Zone Organization said on Monday.

At 660 km, the construction is authorized by the Ministry of Roads and Transportation. It is aimed at connecting South and North Pars gas fields with the national railway network.

According to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the ministries of oil and transportation, the former will pay half of the cost required for the project.

The project is expected to come on stream in 2011.