Armenian Minister of Transport and Communication Manuk Vardanyan said that, according to calculations of Armenian designers, the estimated cost of Iran-Armenia railroad will total $1.7-1.8bln.
According to the Minister, this is a more real estimation as compared with the one voiced by Austrian designers – $4bln. The foreign specialists calculated their costs for labor force, but as the road will be constructed by Armenian specialists, “unfortunately they will earn less,” Vardanyan told journalists on June 28.
According to the Minister, $200-300mln will be required for the design works, another $1-2mln will be spent for the implementation of feasibility study. “Though this is a very expensive project, it is of keen importance for Armenia,” noted Vardanyan.
As for sources of financing, the Minister said that the Asian Development Bank decided to allocate $1mln for the feasibility study, and this sum will be provided after the launch of North-South road construction. Besides, Iran is ready to construct the railroad’s section on its territory and provide financial assistance to Armenia.
According to preliminary calculations, the length of Armenia-Iran railroad will make 470km, with 60km and 410km on Iran’s and Armenia’s territory respectively.
Armenia and Iran signed a memorandum on establishment of direct railroad communication between the two countries in April 2009, what will provide Armenia with access to the Iranian ports. Meanwhile, currently Armenia’s railroad communication with the world is secured only via Georgia.
