Iran-Armenia railroad construction to cost $1.8blnJune 28, 2010 - 18:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Minister of Transport and Communication Manuk Vardanyan said that, according to calculations of Armenian designers, the estimated cost of Iran-Armenia railroad will total $1.7-1.8bln. According to the Minister, this is a more real estimation as compared with the one voiced by Austrian designers - $4bln. The foreign specialists calculated their costs for labor force, but as the road will be constructed by Armenian specialists, “unfortunately they will earn less,” Vardanyan told journalists on June 28. According to the Minister, $200-300mln will be required for the design works, another $1-2mln will be spent for the implementation of feasibility study. “Though this is a very expensive project, it is of keen importance for Armenia,” noted Vardanyan. As for sources of financing, the Minister said that the Asian Development Bank decided to allocate $1mln for the feasibility study, and this sum will be provided after the launch of North-South road construction. Besides, Iran is ready to construct the railroad’s section on its territory and provide financial assistance to Armenia. According to preliminary calculations, the length of Armenia-Iran railroad will make 470km, with 60km and 410km on Iran’s and Armenia’s territory respectively. Armenia and Iran signed a memorandum on establishment of direct railroad communication between the two countries in April 2009, what will provide Armenia with access to the Iranian ports. Meanwhile, currently Armenia’s railroad communication with the world is secured only via Georgia. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |