Mher Grigoryan on Expected Benefits of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Meghri-Horadiz Railway Launch

Construction feasibility studies for the Yeraskh–Julfa–Ordubad–Meghri–Horadiz railway are yet to be conducted. This was stated by Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan during a Q&A session with the government in the National Assembly, in response to a question from Armenia faction MP Arthur Khachatryan regarding the cost estimates and the return on investment for the construction of the railway.

Grigoryan emphasized that only after these studies can the scale of investments be understood and calculated for return. “First of all, we need to have a final project with all its details to carry out a thorough investment assessment. If we talk about indicative figures, based on calculations from foreign experts, the estimated cost for the restoration works on this segment can amount to around 226-230 million USD, with a duration of 36 months,” Grigoryan noted.

Speaking about freight transportation, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that there is an average figure of 3 million, without blockage. According to Grigoryan, 2 million of that comprises domestic freight transport. He stated that in the case of unblocking, the flow of freight transport would at least double, even accounting for domestic potential, with a minimum of 5 percent profitability, which Grigoryan considered to be a favorable scenario.

It is noteworthy that a working group has been established for the construction of the railway.