The long-anticipated Chabahar–Zahedan railway line is set to be completed and operational by the end of this year, marking a major step forward in Iran’s efforts to expand trade and transit infrastructure. The announcement was made by Mansour Bijar, Governor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, during the ECO Interior Ministers’ Meeting in Tehran.
Bijar said the project would transform south-eastern Iran into a strategic trade hub, leveraging the province’s geographical position. “Sistan and Baluchestan is Iran’s largest province and shares long borders with both Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Afghan border provides the shortest access to Chabahar Port, which is crucial for Afghan traders,” he noted.
He explained that the new railway is a key component of Iran’s broader plan to develop its coastal and North–South trade corridors, improving domestic connectivity and boosting regional integration. The province currently has three official border crossings with Pakistan and one with Afghanistan at Milak, along with several local trade points vital for border communities.
Highlighting Iran’s focus on inclusive regional development, Bijar stressed that trade projects must also uplift local livelihoods. He pointed out that four border markets are currently active between Iran and Afghanistan, while two major free trade zones, in Chabahar and Sistan, have been revitalised.
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