Rewritten Title:
Over 3 Million Pilgrims Cross Borders for Arbaeen: Mehran Remains Top Entry Point
Surge in Pilgrim Traffic as Arbaeen Nears
More than 3 million pilgrims have crossed Iran’s borders to Iraq for Arbaeen observances, marking a 2% increase compared to the same period last year. According to the latest figures from Iran’s Road Maintenance & Transportation Organization (RMTO), a total of 3,041,847 pilgrims had departed by August 11 (Mordad 20), with land borders experiencing significant traffic.
Mehran Border Dominates Crossings
Mehran border remains the busiest crossing, handling 47% of outgoing pilgrims, followed by Shalamcheh (27%) and Khosravi (15%). The high demand underscores Mehran’s pivotal role in facilitating religious travel between Iran and Iraq.
Returning Pilgrims and Future Projections
As of the latest update, 1,384,086 pilgrims have returned to Iran—a 9% decrease from last year’s figures. Mehran also leads in incoming traffic, processing 46% of returnees, with Shalamcheh (31%) and Khosravi (15%) following closely. An estimated 1,657,761 pilgrims remain in Iraq and are expected to return in the coming days.
Transportation Efforts and Public Advisory
To manage the influx, 601,335 pilgrims were transported via 27,013 bus services across Iran’s six designated borders. Additionally, 215,405 pilgrims utilized public transport terminals for their journeys.
With Arbaeen falling on a Friday in Iraq this year, authorities have urged pilgrims to plan their return trips early to avoid congestion and ensure smooth travel conditions.
(Source: Egtesad-e Moaser)
