First direct freight train from Iran arrives in Herat

KABUL (Pajhwok): For the first time ever, a cargo train loaded with commercial goods arrived at Rawzanak Train Station in western Herat province from Iran, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said on Tuesday.

The ministry in a press release said the train successfully completed its test journey to the station and delivered commercial goods.

The press release added the acting government of the Islamic Emirate wanted to extend this railway line to different areas of the country in order to connect South and Central Asian countries and change Afghanistan into a regional connectivity point.

The ministry said domestic financial resources would be considered to finance the cost of the ambitious national project.

The Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA) said the arrival of 17 rail wagons loaded with 655 tons of commercial goods was good news for the people of Afghanistan.

In addition to generating job opportunities, this railway line connects Afghanistan to Chabahar port of Iran and then to Turkey, European countries and India, the ARA said.

The Herat-Khawaf railway is 225 kilometers long while 140 kilometers of the railway track is in Afghanistan and the rest 85 kilometers on Iran soil. One thirds of this railway line (64 kilometers) goes through Zinda Jan, Anjil and Ghorian districts of Herat province and reaches Herat airport.

aw/ma

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