Thanks to the efforts to advance transport and transit relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, the construction of the strategically important Kalala-Aghband bridge, which is currently underway, will be completed by the end of 2025. It is expected to be put into operation in March next year once other infrastructure works are completed, Mojtaba Demirchilou, Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, told AZERTAC.

According to him, once the infrastructure and administrative buildings for customs and border services are ready in the area, a new border crossing point between Azerbaijan and Iran will be opened, which will boost development of economic and trade relations between the two countries’ regions.

The Iranian diplomat mentioned that the countries are also continuing their collaboration in developing the North-South International Transport Corridor (NSITC). He noted that as part of these efforts, the Qazvin-Rasht section of the Qazvin-Rasht-Astara railway has already been put into operation. “Work is underway on the Rasht-Astara section, and once completed, it will facilitate the cargo transportation through Iran and Azerbaijan,” the ambassador added.

The diplomat also underlined that Iran's Chabahar port plays an important role in the development of the North-South International Transport Corridor. Linking of the Chabahar-Zahedan railway with the Qazvin-Rasht-Astara (Iran)-Astara (Azerbaijan) railway will facilitate transportation of cargo entering this port from India and other Southeast Asia in the future.