TEHRAN - Iranian Minister of Transport and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash inaugurated the important project of Yazd-Eghlid Railway during a visit to Yazd Province on Sunday.

The Yazd-Eghlid Railway which is considered as a connecting route along the North East-South West and South East-South West rail corridor in Iran is 270 km and has 49 km station lines for 12 stations. 

As reported, 245 km of this long project is in Yazd Province and 25 km in Fars Province.

This project provides the southwestern provinces of Iran with access to the provinces of Hormozgan, Kerman, Sistan and Baluchistan, South Khorasan, and Razavi Khorasan by reducing the rail distance for more than 310 kilometers.

Among the aim of this project is facilitating rail freight transport from economic centers of active mines adjacent to the project, including Yazd dry port, Abarkoh's Sarmad Iron and steel, iron ore concentrate, Abadeh refractory soil, etc.

Due to having a more than 30 percent return on investment, this project was the top priority for operation by the Islamic Republic of Iran Railway.

Transporting more than three million tons freights in the first year of operation and more than 7 million tons in the 20th year of operation is expected.

Also, transport of one million passengers in the first year of operation and 3 million passengers in the 20th year of operation are planned for this project.

In addition, the speed of the passenger train is 160 km/h and the speed of the freight train is 120 km/h.

Additionally, Mehriz Railway Station is opened today.

In this visit, 4157 housing units of the National Housing Movement Plan are inaugurated.

Also, 4412 pieces of land within the same plan will be transferred to the qualified applicants.

EF/