Basra–Shalamcheh railway project to be handed over to Spanish firm, Iraq says

BASRA — Iraq’s Ministry of Transport said Sunday it plans to hand over construction of the Basra–Shalamcheh railway project to the Spanish company Imathia Construcción in the coming month.

The project, seen as a cornerstone of Iraq-Iran connectivity, is intended to facilitate travel for passengers and religious pilgrims between Basra governorate and the Shalamcheh border crossing in Iran.

The ministry described the 32-kilometer rail link as a strategic transportation corridor, particularly during religious occasions when millions travel between the two countries. In a statement, officials said Iraq’s state-run railway company is finalizing legal and logistical steps — including land acquisition and removal of construction obstacles — before formally transferring the project to the contractor.

Work is also underway on a key component of the project: a railway bridge over the Shatt Al-Arab waterway. The ministry reported that 67 of 183 support pillars have been completed, while concrete reinforcement, excavation, and debris clearance are ongoing. Recovery teams are also working to remove sunken materials near the foundation site labeled S1.

Transport Minister Razzaq Muhaibas Al-Saadawi has urged officials to accelerate progress, emphasizing the railway’s importance for religious tourism and cross-border transit.

“The project is vital for easing the movement of visitors and travelers between the two countries,” the ministry said.

Mine removal remains one of the final challenges, according to the ministry, which reiterated the government’s support for completing the line and called it a safer and faster alternative to road travel — especially during peak pilgrimage seasons.