Iran’s minister of roads and urban development said a trade contract will be signed for the construction operation of the Rasht-Astara railway project in the coming days.

According to The Iran Project,Speaking on the sidelines of the 7th Iran International Transportation, Logistics and Related Industries entitled “Iran Trans 2023” on Monday, Mehrdad Bazrpash predicted that the construction operation of the Rasht-Astara Railway will begin in early 2024.

He also referred to the Shalamcheh-Basra railway project and said expert-level talks were made between Iranian and Iraqi officials on the acceleration of completing the railway project.

A contract valued at $500 million has also been inked between Iran and Turkmenistan for the construction of a road that will link Shahid Rajaei Port to the Caspian Port via the rail line, he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Bazrpash pointed to the growth and development of transit as one of the most important programs of his ministry which has followed up strictly.

He highlighted the 33-percent growth of transit in the country in recent months, saying it shows effective steps have been taken in this regard in the administration of President Ebrahim Raeisi.

The 7th Iran International Exhibition of Transportation, Logistics and Related Industries dubbed “Iran Trans Expo” was inaugurated at the Imam Khomeini (RA) Grand Prayers Hall (Mosalla) in Tehran on Monday.