The construction of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway line depends on the completion of land acquisition and demining operations
According to Mehr News Agency Maysam Al-Safi, the director of the media office of the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation, said about the importance of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway line: The Shalamcheh-Basra railway line is for both Iran and Iraq because it facilitates the movement of passengers, especially during pilgrimage days when the number of trips increases. , It is important. This project has a great contribution in strengthening the Iraqi tourism sector, especially religious tourism, by reducing time, cost and increasing the safety of travel between the two countries. Special studies and designs have been carried out for the implementation of this project, and a Spanish company has been selected as a contractor to implement the 36-kilometer rail laying operation of this project.
He further added: Official correspondence regarding the acquisition of lands located on the Shalamcheh-Basra railway line has been done by the ministries and government organizations for handing over to the railways. Some of these lands are within Shat al-Arab, some belong to Basra municipality and some belong to the Iraqi government. For some lands in Shatt al-Arab, Basra and Sindbad Island (place of construction of the swing bridge), cases have been filed in the court and we are waiting for the final decision. By evaluating the land, we have reached a good stage of land acquisition and we are waiting for the final decision to gradually provide these lands to the Ministry of Transportation. In general, all ministries and government institutions related to this project have been notified to hand over their lands located along the railway line to the Ministry of Transportation.
Al-Safi also stated: A joint committee has been formed in coordination with the Spanish contractor company between the Ministry of Transportation and Electricity to remove environmental obstacles in this route, which is conducting the study phase. .
According to the agreements made between the governments of the two countries for the construction of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway line, 16 km mine clearance and the construction of an opening bridge are among Iran’s commitments, which according to Iran’s Railways CEO Miyad Salehi, so far only about 5 2 km is mined. This is despite the fact that according to the promise of the governments of Iran and Iraq on 11 September 1402, in the ceremony of starting the implementation of this railway line, it is scheduled to be put into operation within 18 months. Investigations show that now, after about 9 months, no decisive action has been taken by either side.
