April 2021 - Detailed designs were conducted by French consulting company (Sorfrel) 1982, currently updated by Czech consulting company (CZ Group); July 2019 - A government commission is looking for a company to construct and maintain the project; January 2018 - National Investment Commission (NIC) has announced the project, as part of 157 Major Strategic Projects in Iraq; Project also includes a branch line Baquba - Khanaqeen - Munthiriya - Iran