San'at-e-Haml-o-Naghl, Transport Industry's (Monthly)
Feb.- Mar. 1994, Vol. 14, No. 137
Pages: 45-48
Word Count: 1178
original article published on Netiran.com
Summary:
The 635-kilometre Bafq-Bandar Abbas railway links the Iranian railway network to one of the important ports in the country and also serves as the nearest and cheapest means of access for Central Asian countries and the Caucasus to world markets.
Text:
Extension of the Railway System in the Islamic Republic of Iran:
The vastness of this country, which has an area totalling 1,648,000 square kilometers, is of paramount significance, especially in view of the fact that our mineral, industrial and agricultural zones are scattered throughout the state. For this reason, the authorities have endeavoured to expand the railway system. Meanwhile, it must be noted that during its 56 years in operation, the railway system of the Islamic Republic of Iran consisted only of 5,484 kilometers of main lines, 792 kilometers of auxiliary lines, 451 kilometers to connect industrial and commercial zones, and 832 kilometers of reserve secondary lines.
The rail network has 5 major routes and operates on a single line; thus far, it has connected 13 out of 24 provinces in the country. The present system links entry points such as the Imam Khomeini Port, Khorramshahr Port and, with the commissioning of the Bafq-Bandar Abbas project, it now connect Bandar Abbas in the south and the border towns Jolfa and Razi in the north.
The Double-Line Bandar Abbas-Bafq Electric Railway Project:
The Persian Gulf has historically been an important waterway for international shipping, and its strategic importance continues until the present time. There was a need for a rail connection in this part of the country considering that many important ports are located in this region and that imported commodities get stockpiled at border points as the goods have had to be transported via trucks at spiralling costs and with much difficulty. The new Bandar Abbas-Golgohar-Bafq line links the Persian Gulf to the existing national rail network and allows access to the Sarcheshmeh Copper and Golgohar Iron Ore mines. Moreover, by carrying the heavy goods, it relieves the congested road traffic in that area.
1. A summary of the specifications of the Bafq-Bandar Abbas railway system:
The technical and feasibility studies for this project and the preparation of the executive designs were initiated by Iran-Campsax Consulting Engineers in 1972. The studies were completed in 1977.
1.1 Expected load to be transported on this route:
- 7.2 million tons of goods from the jetties in Bandar Abbas (the major portion to be loaded at the new jetties) will be transported to consumption marketing centers.
- 3.2 million tons of iron ore from the Golgohar mine will be delivered to Isfahan and recently, also to Bandar Abbas.
- 0.5 million tons of copper will be transported from the Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex and 0.45 million tons of fuel supply will be transported to the complex.
The above loads total 16 million tons and this figure can further increase to 40 million tons.
1.2 Specifications of the project:
The length of the main line is 635 kilometers. At kilometre 316, a side line running 11 kilometers connects with the Golgohar Mine and at kilometre 430, another auxiliary line measuring 43 kilometers reaches the Sarcheshmeh copper mine. Maximum gradient of the main line is 12.5 per thousand and that of the side lines is 20 per thousand; the minimum radius of the curve is 700 meters.
- There are 2,270 bridges, with a total length of 26 kilometers, along the route.
- A total of 17,312 meters of tunnels have been dug, the longest of which is 3,100 meters.
- The main route consists of a double electric railway line and is equipped with modern warning and communications equipment.
- Cargo trains and an express passenger service (with a speed of 160 kms. per hour) are available on this route.
- This line connects Shahid Rajaei Port Jetty to the country's present railway network.
- The operation of the new rail line improves the traffic situation at main roads in the region, as the bulk of goods which used to be transported overland via trucks has been transferred to the rail system.
- The construction involved substructure and surface work and the installation of signalling and communication equipment for electric trains.
- The system employs modern techniques which are tried and tested instead of the sophisticated operations which have not passed the test of time.
- Besides giving a boost to the economy of the three provinces crossed by the new route, the Bafq-Bandar Abbas railway also expedites the loading/unloading of marine vessels in the southern ports and accelerates the transport of goods and people. Most importantly, it expands the operations of Mubarakeh Steel Complex and Isfahan iron mills which are important economic projects in the country.
2. A Summary of the Scope of Operations:
In terms of work scope this project can be considered as the largest ever undertaken in the country over the last 25 years.
2.1 - Major substructure work:
| Foundation laying | above 2,000,000 cu. m. |
| Masonry | above 550,000 cu. m. |
| Concrete filling | above 2000,000 cu. m. |
| Earth filling (embankment) | above 45,000,000 cu. m. |
| Excavation | above 47,000,000 cu. m. |
| Steel works | above 64,000,000 kgs. |
| Pile driving | above 57,000 m. |
| Pre-compressed concrete filling | above 55,000 cu.m. |
| Tunnel excavation | above 17,312 m. |
2.2 Major surface work:
| Ballast | above 3,500,000 cubic meters |
| Traverse | above 2,500,000 pieces |
| Rail-laying | above 165,000 tons |
| Rail holders | above 2,500,000 series (for each traverse). |
2.3 - Construction of railway stations:
| Total office area: | 100,000 sq. meters. |
| Technical buildings and workshops | 100,000 sq. meters. |
| Residential buildings | 175,000 sq. meters. |
3 - Number of lots, contractors and consulting engineers:
Due to the enormity of the project, the substructure work was divided into 15 lots and 23 contracts. About 20 companies were involved in the implementation of substructure work under the supervision of 8 consulting engineering firms. Four consulting engineers, 25 construction and 15 utility (facility) companies were involved in the building works.
The Bandar Abbas-Bafq railway system was executed in 5 phases:
Phase 1 - In 1368, (1989-90) the substructure and rail work for 250 kilometers of the Bafq-Sirjan leg was completed and in 1990, this portion became operational.
Phase 2 - Operation of the Golgohar-Sirjan portion on a single line started in the second half of 1370 (1991 - 1992).
Phase 3 - The Sirjan-Tazarj line was inaugurated by First Vice-President Hassan Habibi in the first half of 1372 (1993 - 1994).
Phase 4 - The Tazarj-Bandar Abbas rail, operating on a single line, was inaugurated on 17 March, 1995, by President Hashemi Rafsanjani in the presence of high-ranking foreign and domestic dignitaries .
Phase 5 - All remaining work such as construction of stations, residential and office areas will be completed by March 1998. The erection of signalling and communication equipment is expected to be completed by the said date. This rail network will also be improved to operate on a double line.