Pakistan will send a freight train to Russia for the first time on June 22. The route will pass through Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and will reach the southern part of Russia, the website tca.gov.tm reported.
The train will leave Lahore and travel more than 2,000 kilometers to the Taftan border crossing with Iran, then proceed along the eastern branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor, a rapidly developing route connecting South Asia with Eurasia.
Due to differences in track gauge, the cargo will be reloaded in Zahedan, Iran, after which the train will cross the border with Turkmenistan through the Sarakhs point. Then the train will proceed through Kazakhstan to Astrakhan, Russia.
Turkmenistan plays a key role in the operation of the corridor, providing an important rail link between Iran and Kazakhstan. The single track gauge in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia ensures uninterrupted transit.
The total length of the route is almost 8 thousand kilometers, the estimated travel time is from 20 to 25 days. The first flight will deliver about 15-16 TEU containers, in the future the volume may increase to 31 containers after tariffs are agreed.
Pakistani Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi noted that the initiative reflects Pakistan’s strategy to integrate the railway network with Central Asia, develop regional logistics and expand international trade.
