BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Iran is working to
strengthen the transit network of Sistan and Baluchestan province
in the country's southeast, an official said.
Nima Rakhsha, an official with the provincial Road and Urban
Development Department, said that once ongoing road projects are
completed, the province is expected to become one of Iran's main
freight transport and transit hubs, strengthening its position in
international transit networks, according to Iran's Ministry of
Roads and Urban Development.
"With the completion of ongoing projects within the road network
in Sistan and Baluchestan province, the region will become one of
the country's key freight and transit centers in the near future
and will strengthen its position in international transit
networks," Rakhsha said.
He said construction work is underway on the Zahedan-Birjand
highway linking Sistan and Baluchestan with South Khorasan
province. A total of 211 km of the highway is located within Sistan
and Baluchestan, of which 175 km has already been completed and
opened to traffic. Construction is continuing on the remaining 36
km.
Rakhsha said the province's comprehensive and sustainable
development depends on expanding highways and transport links with
other provinces. A significant share of the country's essential
goods and freight is transported from the Chabahar port to other
destinations across Iran.
The official added that this contributes to the formation of the
region's international transit potential. He said improving trade
facilitation, developing highway infrastructure and enhancing
security are of major importance.
The construction of the remaining 36-km section of the
Zahedan-Birjand highway is expected to require 14 trillion rials
(approximately $9.29 million) in investment.
