Contract for Rasht-Astara to be signed by the end of the year
Russia's Ministry of Transport expects to sign a contract for the construction of the Rasht — Astara railway section by the end of 2026.
This was reported by Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin in an interview with "Vesti."
"Our colleagues must hand over the land. Pre-design studies are already underway in this area. And the next milestone is the signing of the contract," he emphasized.
Nikitin expressed hope that the agreement can be signed by the end of the year.
The minister also noted that specific construction timelines will be determined after the contract is concluded.
About the project
In 2023, Russia and Iran, as part of the North — South international transport corridor, concluded an agreement on the joint construction of the 160-kilometer Rasht — Astara section of the route. It will run between Iran and Azerbaijan and is intended to provide through passage to the ports of the Persian Gulf.
The total cost of the project is estimated at €1.6 billion. Moscow and Tehran intend to jointly finance the design and construction, as well as the supply of the necessary goods and services.
