The Railway Connection Project stands as a cornerstone in fortifying our economic infrastructure, PM Al-Sudani affirms

Baghdad-INA
 
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani affirmed on Saturday that The Railway Connection Project stands as a cornerstone in fortifying our economic infrastructure.
 
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani said in his speech at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Basra-Shalamcheh Railway Connection Project to transport pilgrims and travelers to holy shrines: The Arbaeen pilgrimage is here, with Iraq welcoming pilgrims from around the globe, arriving by land, air, and sea.
 
“Predominantly, our guests hail from Iran, with over 3 million arrivals from various entry points, including 700,000 via the Shalamcheh port to date,” he said . “In anticipation of increasing pilgrims numbers in the years ahead, we aim to develop infrastructure that streamlines entry, enhances accessibility, and mitigates traffic congestion and incidents during these occasions”.
 
 
 He also affirmed that “This project stands as a cornerstone in fortifying our economic infrastructure, bolstering Iraq's connectivity with neighboring nations, and facilitating travel from Iran and Central Asian countries via the railway connection project. Adding “After years of deliberation and research spanning multiple administrations, the project finally received approval for completion in 2021 through bilateral agreement between the two countries”.
 
PM also mentioned that “Multiple decisions were taken, ultimately resulting in meeting the project's implementation prerequisites and securing a contract with a suitable company for its execution. I express my sincere gratitude to the Islamic Republic for their commitment to clear the mines from the designated area and constructing a bridge over Shatt Al Arab to facilitate railway crossing. Railways remain the most economically viable, cost-effective, and secure mode of transportation”.
 
  
“Railways are an indispensable component of any thriving economy, underpinning positive growth indicators worldwide,” he continued. “The railway connection via the Shalamcheh port is one of many connections in a network we aspire to extend, reaching the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala and spanning across the entire region”.
 
 
He noted that “The Development Road, once coupled with the completion of Grand Faw Port and its associated industrial city, will usher in significant opportunities for transformative development, forging a new transport route within the region”, affirming that “Fostering constructive partnerships has been a paramount focus for the government, recognizing it as the bedrock of stability and progress in Iraq and the broader region.”
 
 “ The Iraq-Iran relationship is of strategic importance, and we are actively advancing projects such as the border industrial city and joint transportation routes between our nations,” he stated .” I commend the Minister of Transportation, the dedicated Ministry staff, the Governor of Basra and their team, Advisor Hazem Al-Khalidi, and all officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and committee members from the ministries for their outstanding efforts”.