Revival of Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway from the beginning of 2021
Dec 22,2020
The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train line will resume operations in early 2021 to boost Pakistan's trade with Turkey and Iran.
The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul freight train (ITI) is expected to resume operations in early 2021 to boost Pakistan's trade with Turkey and Iran, according to Fars News Agency's International Economics Group.
"The Pakistani, Iranian and Turkish railways have reached a bilateral agreement that the regular operation of this Take the railway from the lead . These activities are expected to resume in 2021.
According to the report , the pilot operation of the ITI Railway began in 2009 under the auspices of the Economic Cooperation Organization. The route of this railway is recognized by the International Organization as the international corridor of these three countries and so far it has been used only for test trips.
* Reduce time travel and freight transfer costs
The railway intends to significantly reduce the transit route of goods from Istanbul to Islamabad. During the test, a freight train of Islam wind after nearly 13 days, travel 6500 km to reach Istanbul. This route was further extended to 11 and a half days.
In comparison, the transfer of goods from European countries to Pakistan by sea takes about 45 days. The maximum capacity of this train is 20 40-foot wagons.
* Railway length
The total length of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway is 6500 km.
Iran: 2600 km
Turkey: 1950 km
Pakistan: 1990 km
* Strengthen trade exchanges
The entire railway is said to be " extremely profitable" for all three countries . The purpose of the pipeline is first to strengthen economic cooperation between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey and then with other OECD countries.
In addition to Iran, Pakistan and Turkey, which will benefit from the ITI pipeline, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will also benefit.
* Possibility of development to Europe
Although the project is aimed at strengthening economic ties between the founding member of ECO, it does provide a short, safe and cost-effective route for the transfer of goods between Asia and Europe, and its benefits extend to other countries as well. This corridor from Turkey can be connected to the European railway network through the Marmara underwater tunnel.
Other countries also expressed interest in joining the project from the beginning and suggested that the railway be extended to European and Middle Eastern markets.
* Highlights of Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway corridor
Services to facilitate the transportation of cargo and containers
Cargo capacity: 20 40-foot containers
Estimated travel time is 11 days, which is much less than the 45-day sea voyage.
Reduce rail fares by more than 30% compared to traditional routes