Railway Development Initiative in Iraq: An Economic Catalyst
The Ministry of Transport has commenced the initial phase of a significant railway development project that stretches from the city of Al-Faw to the Vishkabur station on the Turkish border. This project is in collaboration with an Italian firm responsible for its execution, which has finalized the site assessments for the railway lines involved.
Jabbar Alaiwi, Director of the General Railways Company, highlighted a notable surge in preparations for the railway enhancement phase in northern and western regions of Iraq severely affected by ISIS-related violence and destruction. This revitalization aims to restore essential transport links.
According to Alaiwi, operations will initiate from Mosul, progressing eastward towards Baghdad. This first phase will focus on reinforcing existing lines to improve their operational efficiency, including the establishment of a double-track railway from Al-Faw to Vishkabur. This initiative coincides with the opening of the Paw Port within this calendar year, facilitating the movement of goods and travelers until the completion of the overarching land development project connecting the western region.
Furthermore, the Ministry is actively collaborating with local authorities in the northern and western governorates to reactivate suspended rail lines, such as the Baghdad-Kirkuk route. The rehabilitation of rail pathways surrounding the Baghdad-Al-Qaim-Akashat line is also underway to rejuvenate these areas and enable train services for travelers.
The Italian consortium overseeing the road development project has successfully completed the first phase of site assessments for the designated rail lines, with the subsequent phase expected to commence in the coming days. This next stage will detail operations starting from the Hilla station and extending towards surrounding governorates, culminating in Nineveh Governorate.
In conjunction with these efforts, Alaiwi noted a collaborative framework established with the World Bank to implement further railway development projects, including the reconstruction and rehabilitation of rail lines and bridges in the country’s western regions. Last year marked a significant milestone with the re-establishment of 12 rail lines and the introduction of new routes.
The upcoming months are set to see the launch of several additional routes, including the Sawah-Cupping and the Session-Refiner lines, further enhancing the railway infrastructure within Iraq.
To stay updated on economic developments, subscribe to our channel on Tilekram.
