Türkiye has officially launched construction of the Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu Railway Line, a strategic project that will link the country to the Zangezur Corridor and open new opportunities for peace, trade, and prosperity in the South Caucasus.

At the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Minister of Transportation Abdulkadir Uraloğlu highlighted Türkiye’s central role in the Middle Corridor, citing landmark projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the Eurasia Tunnel, and the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, which serve as vital links between Asia and Europe.

“We are beginning the construction of a line connecting Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. This line will strengthen the socio-economic ties between Asia and Europe,” Uraloğlu said.

He emphasized that expanding and modernizing Türkiye’s railway network has been a cornerstone of state policy since 2002 under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The government has connected railways to ports, industrial zones, and logistics centers, with 70–80% of existing lines now electrified.

“Over the past 23 years, we have invested approximately $300 billion in transportation, with $64 billion allocated to railways. Meanwhile, we have added 3,000 kilometers of new tracks to our railway network, 2,251 kilometers of which are high-speed tracks,” the minister noted.

Describing the new project as an “International Roadmap for Peace and Prosperity,” Uraloğlu underlined that the Zangezur Corridor would not only enhance connectivity but also contribute to the long-term stability and development of the South Caucasus region.

The Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu Railway Line is expected to reinforce Türkiye’s role as a regional hub, deepening economic integration and facilitating stronger transport links between Asia and Europe. (ILKHA)