Shafaq News- Basra
Iraq is set to open itslargest border crossing with Iran next week ahead of the Islamic month ofMuharram, Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani announced on Thursday.
Speaking to Shafaq News duringan inspection tour of the Shalamcheh crossing and the planned Iraq-Iran railcorridor with Iraqi Transport Minister Wahab Salman Muhammad, Al-Eidani describedthe 36-kilometer Basra-Shalamcheh railway as a strategic link that willfacilitate travel between the two countries, particularly during majorreligious occasions. He indicated that local authorities expect to resolve theremaining issues within three months.
He also revealed that 54 homesfall within the corridor and that their owners will receive replacement landand financial compensation under decisions approved by Iraq’s Council ofMinisters. The alignment additionally requires the relocation of two schoolsand a police station, while coordination continues with the ElectricityMinistry over a transmission line connected to the Al-Najibiya power station.
A station, the governor added,will be built within the Shalamcheh complex, creating an integrated gateway forcross-border travel and trade.
Iran’s Consul General in Iraq,Ali Abedi, previously told Shafaq News that work is expected to accelerate thisyear following progress in land clearance, bridge construction, and deminingoperations.
First proposed in 2018, thescheme has faced repeated delays on the Iraqi side because of funding andeconomic constraints. In April 2023, Financial Tribune reported that Iraq hadallocated $230 million as an initial installment and estimated completionwithin 18 months once construction advanced at full pace.
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