15) Chabahar Rail line

Question 1

What is this Chabahar Rail line ?

Answer 1

It is a 628km railway line that connects Chabahar port to Zahedan in Iran along the border with Afghanistan

Question 2

Who are the involved bodies in this ?

Answer 2

Project to be carried out between Indian Railways Construction Ltd (IRCON) and the Iranian Railways as a part of Trilateral Agreement signed in 2016 between Iran, India and Afghanistan

Question 3

Context ?

Answer 3

Iranian Govt has decided to proceed with the construction of Chabahar Rail Project on its own, as there are delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the project

Question 4

Why is India delaying this project ?

Answer 4

1) USA relations with Iran

2) Iran getting huge amount of funds from China recently

Question 5

Location of Chabahar Port ?

Answer 5

1) Located on the Gulf of Oman
2) Only 72km away from Gwadar port of Pakistan
3) Only oceanic port of Iran
4) This port could serve as an alternative route for trade between India and Afghanistan and also considered as “Gateway of trade with Central Asian nations”