Iranian train with cement arrives in Herat

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Two trains carrying imports and Iranian officials have arrived in western Afghanistan for the first time¸ officials say.

The imported goods — 500 metric tonnes of cement — arrived in the province from Iran via the Herat-Khaf railway station on Wednesday.

A passenger train carrying Iranian officials reached the Ghoryan district of the province, bordering Iran, local officials said.

Construction work on the third phase of the Herat-Khaf railway link was recently completed. It will be inaugurated be open within 10 days.

Yama Shams, head of the Afghan National Railway Authority, said: “With the opening of this railroad, Afghanistan will directly export its products to all countries connected by this route.”

A 70-km portion of the railway line lies in Iran and 60km in Afghanistan, which will be able to use the rail service linking Turkey and Europe with Iranian ports.

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