Rasht–Astara Railway

under construction

The Rasht–Astara railway project is a 162-kilometer railway line that forms the missing link in the western branch of the International North–South Transport Corridor. It aims to complete Iran's rail connection to Azerbaijan and Russia, providing direct access to Europe without passing through Turkey. The project faces financial, environmental, and technical challenges, including increased elevated track length and environmental concerns in the Gisum forest region. Initial route design and land acquisition are underway, with a $1.6 billion credit line from Russia addressing financing issues. The railway is expected to have a freight capacity of 7 million tons annually and could be operational within three to four years if obstacles are resolved.