Turkish MP: Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan railway to boost regional economic growth

Şamil Ayrım, a member of the Turkish Parliament, has said that the Kars-Iğdir-Nakhchivan railway project will give a boost to further economic development in the region.

The parliamentarian noted that this transport corridor will become a powerful factor for the region's economic growth, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"In January, we, along with official delegations from Azerbaijan and Türkiye, visited the construction site of the railway. The project is extremely important and generates great interest in Nakhchivan, Iğdir, as well as in Europe and Asia. It is expected that the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye will participate in the groundbreaking ceremony," he said.

He also mentioned that Azerbaijan has begun to play a key role in gas supply to Europe following the suspension of Russian gas supplies. This has increased Azerbaijan's prestige not only in Europe but also worldwide, he added.

The Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan railway project is a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing regional connectivity between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Construction work officially commenced in April 2025, with the project expected to span approximately five years. The railway will stretch over 224 kilometers, linking Kars in Türkiye to the Nakhchivan border, and is designed to accommodate passenger trains traveling at speeds up to 160 km/h. The annual capacity is projected to reach 5.5 million passengers and 2 million tons of cargo.

Turkish construction firms Kalyon and Cengiz İnşaat are responsible for the project's execution, with around 3,500 specialists engaged in the construction efforts. The route will feature five stations and include the construction of ten bridges and other essential infrastructure. This railway is envisioned as a vital component of the Middle Corridor, enhancing trade and transit between Asia and Europe.

By Khagan İsayev