On Monday, Russian Railways announced a historic milestone as two trains laden with Kuzbass coal embarked on a journey to India via the Eastern branch of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
"For the first time, two trains with Kuzbass coal headed to India along the International North-South Transport Corridor. The trains set off from the Kemerovo region. They followed along the eastern branch of the ITC through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas," Russian Railways stated.
The coal at the Turkmen-Iranian border was transferred onto railway wagons, which utilise a gauge of 1,435 millimeters, differing from the 1,520-millimeter gauge used in Russia.
The last leg of the journey, from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to Mumbai, will involve the solid fuel being transported by sea.
The INSTC spans 7,200 kilometers (4,500 miles) from St. Petersburg to the port of Mumbai, India, and serves as a multimodal route.
Bridging Continents: Unveiling Potential of INSTC
This corridor offers an alternative to sea routes, connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean. There are three routes: Trans-Caspian, West, and East (land). Some sections of the corridor still need to be built, hence, construction is in the process.
India’s keen interest in advancing this project stems from several factors. Indian goods currently reach Russia and Central Asia via the lengthy Suez Canal route, which typically takes 45-60 days.
In contrast, the trans-Iranian route spans 25-30 days, significantly reducing transit times. It offers the prospects of opening up expansive markets across India, Russia, Central Asia, and beyond, thereby fostering economic opportunities across Asia and Europe.
The energy-rich Eurasian region, renowned for its vast geographical expanse and abundant resources, is poised to play a pivotal role in the emerging geopolitical dynamics of Eurasia.
This route is expected to have a colossal impact on the global stage, reflecting shifts in the international power dynamics.