Following alleged attacks on railway lines across Razavi Khorasan, Qom, Isfahan, Khuzestan, and Tehran, Iran’s transportation network is reportedly regaining its momentum. Railway networks and bridges are considered vital arteries for any nation, forming the backbone of goods transportation, passenger movement, tourism development, and the prosperity of both domestic and international trade. These infrastructures often function as economic lifelines, and any disruption can significantly impact supply chains and public mobility. According to recognized international law, targeting civilian infrastructure, including railway lines, bridges, and public transportation networks during conflicts, is prohibited and considered a war crime. However, during recent attacks attributed to American-Zionist forces, parts of Iran’s railway infrastructure in provinces such as Razavi Khorasan, Isfahan, Qom, Khuzestan, and Tehran sustained damage. With the mobilization of technical and engineering teams, reconstruction efforts for these critical arteries have commenced. In some routes, trains have already resumed operations, gradually restoring services for passengers and cargo transport.
After the onset of what were described as American-Zionist attacks on various Iranian cities, the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (IRIR) swiftly established a crisis management headquarters. This body was tasked with assessing the damages and initiating reconstruction operations for the affected routes.
Mirhassan Mousavi, the Deputy CEO of IRIR, elaborated on these measures, stating, “From the very first hours of the American-Zionist aggression on Tuesday, April 6th, an emergency meeting was convened with the presence of railway deputies and managers, leading to the formation of the railway’s crisis management headquarters. Planning for infrastructure reconstruction and the continuation of passenger services was immediately prioritized.” Mousavi further commended the dedication of the railway’s operational forces, adding, “Reconstruction operations for damaged infrastructure facilities have begun with full provision of equipment and specialized personnel. Technical teams are on-site, working with a dedicated, volunteer-like spirit. Currently, freight and passenger train movements are established across most of the network, and passenger train traffic is expected to resume on most routes from this afternoon. We anticipate that almost all network axes will be operational by the end of the day.”
According to Mousavi, only the Zanjan-Tabriz route remains temporarily closed due to ongoing reconstruction and is expected to reopen soon. However, he highlighted the remarkable achievement of Iranian engineers on the historic Yahyaabad Bridge in Kashan. This section, which was reportedly destroyed by a projectile attributed to American-Zionist forces, has been repaired and reconstructed in the shortest possible time, with trains now traversing it.
Field operations are also progressing rapidly on the rail lines in Tehran and Qom. A crucial segment, the Bahram-Rey railway line in the Garmsar area, vital for connecting the country’s center, is undergoing reconstruction. Siamak Namaki, head of Garmsar railway station, confirmed, “Reconstruction operations for the Bahram-Rey railway line are underway, with senior railway managers overseeing the project on its second working day. Operational teams from the Tehran General Directorate of Railways, equipped with full resources and technical personnel, are executing the repairs.” Namaki added, “Parts of the line are being upgraded and renovated to enhance safety and the quality of train movement. Our objective is to restore this vital route to stable conditions as quickly as possible, ensuring uninterrupted services for passengers and cargo transport.”
In Qom province, a significant railway bridge was also damaged during the air attacks. Majid Arjouni, Director General of Qom Railways, reported, “The Bagh-e-Yek-Savarian railway bridge, located at kilometer 222 of the southern axis, was hit by attacks from Zionist and American ‘enemy’ fighter jets, resulting in the destruction of parts of its structure.” Arjouni detailed that the 50-meter bridge has seven spans, three of which were completely destroyed. He stated, “Immediately following the initial assessment and securing the area, debris removal operations, deployment of heavy equipment, and preparation of the ground for the installation of temporary and permanent structures commenced.” He emphasized that specialized railway teams are working diligently on-site, aiming to ensure safe train passage on this route in the shortest possible time.
Beyond governmental efforts, private sector entities within the railway industry have also expressed their readiness to contribute to the reconstruction of damaged infrastructures. The Guild Association of Railway Transport Companies and Related Services affirmed in a statement that its members are fully prepared to participate in damage assessment, infrastructure reconstruction, equipment supply, and operational support. The statement underscored the railway transport industry’s critical role as a primary mover of goods and passengers and the backbone of the nation’s logistics, essential for sustained economic activity. It highlighted that in crisis situations, collaboration between the government and the private sector can accelerate the railway network’s reconstruction. Member companies of the association, leveraging their technical capabilities, operational experience, and logistical capacities, are ready to cooperate with the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways to swiftly restore railway services.
#IranRailways #InfrastructureRepair #IranianEngineers #RailwayReconstruction #CrisisManagement #TransportationNetwork #MiddleEastConflict #CivilianInfrastructure #EconomicRecovery #QomBridge
Leave a Reply