Tehran, August 5 (MRUD NEWS)—Miad Salehi, head of Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI) and Sergey Pavlov, First Deputy Managing Director of Russian Railways, met in Tehran on August 2, 2023 to discuss rail transit from Russia through Iran's territory. 

Since serious talks for increasing rail transit in the last year, freight transit has increased by 70 percent while we can target for a 700 percent increase, Salehi stated. 

Until operation of Rasht-Astara Railway, Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI) is ready to transit Russia's freights through Iran's eastern railway corridor, Salehi added. 

To this end, Sarakhs Border is very important through which the cargo will pass through Iran within 3 to 5 days. 

Salehi pointed to the potentials of Astara-Rasht-Bafq-Bandar Abbas rail route for Russia freight transit as Iran is willing to offer discount on tariffs to the forwarders to make it economical.

By the end of 2023, Caspian Port will be connected to Iran's railway network which make freight transit to further increase, head of Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI) informed. 

The main problem for rail freight transit is administrative formalities in customs and other bodies which RAI tries to minimize them. 

Salehi recommended Russians to announce earlier the list of freights (i.e., five strategic goods) for transit so that Iran can act for the related permits for clearance and custom processes in the shortest possible time. 

Sergey Pavlov appreciated Iran's determination for increasing rail transport and predicted the growth by 900 percent with the change in tariffs and platforms. 

Pointing to the agreement for financing construction of Rasht-Astara Railway which was signed between Iran and Russia in May 17, First Deputy Managing Director of Russian Railways said this route will facilitate 15 million tons freight transit. 

Further he added that "Iran's railway is the only route for Russian exporters to reach India, and for this reason, we are determined to expand the volume of transit". 

Noteworthy, in this meeting, the development of freight transport through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), optimization of container services in the eastern route through Sarakhs, resuming rail transportation of oil products and increasing the cargo capacity in the western route of the INSTC were discussed by the managers of Iran and Russia Railways.