MP: Kars-Iğdır-Dilucu railway to strengthen Azerbaijan-Türkiye transport links

The Kars-Iğdır-Dilucu railway line will help further strengthen transport links between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, Adem Çalkın, a member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye representing Kars, told Report's Nakhchivan bureau.

According to Çalkın, the railway is of great importance for establishing a rail connection toward Nakhchivan, Ordubad and then Baku.

He said the project promised significant opportunities not only in terms of transport but also economically, adding that once commissioned, it was expected to facilitate passenger and freight transportation, increase regional trade turnover and reduce transportation costs.

Halit Özer, head of the Kars Tourism Union, said the recently announced Kars-Baku flights had increased interest in the region. He noted that the launch of rail services could also bring additional value to the tourism sector and economy of Kars, Iğdır and surrounding areas.

Overall, the Kars-Iğdır-Dilucu railway could also expand Türkiye's access to the Middle Corridor. The connection to be established through Nakhchivan could link Azerbaijan to a broader regional transport network and strengthen the country's transit position.

The Kars-Iğdır-Dilucu railway project is therefore becoming one of the key regional projects that could further strengthen Azerbaijan-Türkiye relations while expanding transport, trade, tourism and investment opportunities.

The 224-kilometer railway line from Kars to Iğdır and Dilucu is strategically important for establishing a direct rail connection between Türkiye and Azerbaijan. Starting in Kars, the line will pass through Digor, Tuzluca, Iğdır and Aralık before reaching the Dilucu border crossing.

Bridge and other infrastructure works are being carried out in Tuzluca as part of the project. Construction work in the Kars and Iğdır directions indicates that the railway connection is taking shape on the ground.

The project, whose foundation was laid in August 2025, is currently progressing with tunnel excavation and the construction of viaducts and other railway infrastructure. Work is being carried out around the clock.

Trains are planned to operate at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour.