IRNA reported that Turkmenistan will hold a tender for construction of Iran Turkmenistan Kazakhstan railway tracks.

To start construction of the railways connecting the 3 countries, Turkmenistan will hold a tender in Ashkhabad in the presence of Iran, Turkey, Russia, Japan, China, Kazakhstan and European Union.

It may be noted that the initial agreement was signed by the Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan presidents in May 2007. However, the final accord was inked by Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states in September 2007.

The railway length is 900 kilometer of which 700 kilometers go through Turkmenistan, 90 kilometers through Iran and the rest through Kazakhstan. 3 to 5 tonnes of commodities can be transferred via Iran Turkmenistan Kazakhstan railway and the figure can be raised to 15 tonnes.