Iran has completed the 730-km Chabahar-Zahedan railway line, a major infrastructure project expected to improve India’s access to Afghanistan, Central Asia and eastern Russia.
The railway connects Chabahar, a port city on Iran’s southeastern coast, with Zahedan near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The route is expected to become fully operational in three to four months, following final safety checks.
The railway includes 33 stations, 39 tunnels and 201 bridges. It is designed to improve connectivity between landlocked countries in Central Asia and maritime trade routes through the Indian Ocean.
The development comes as India and Iran continue discussions over India’s role in managing Chabahar Port. India signed a 10-year agreement in 2024 to develop and operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal at the port.
The rail link could support regional trade and provide India with an additional route to markets in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
