The new rail line will reduce the cost of international transportation through the Caspian Sea to Astrakhan in Russia, and eventually to the European Union, by 30%. It serves as a crucial component of the North-South Corridor's middle route, connecting the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf and international waterways. This connection facilitates the exchange of mixed cargo through Iran and is particularly significant as a bridge linking the Eurasian Economic Union with the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. Additionally, the western branch of the North-South Corridor is progressing with the construction of the 162-kilometer Rasht-Astara railway under a contract between Iran and Russia. The Chabahar-Zahedan rail route, forming the eastern branch of this corridor, aims to connect the Shahid Beheshti port of Chabahar to Iran's railway network. This project has achieved 70% physical progress and is expected to be completed within the next year.