Tehran Subway Waiting for Government’s Subsidies: Mayor

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Mayor of Tehran, says subway construction in the Iranian capital has faced troubles due to a lack of governmental support.

According to a report by IFP, in what seems to be the beginning of a clash between the conservative Mayor of Tehran, who is also a possible candidate in upcoming presidential votes, and the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Qalibaf harshly criticized the Iranian government for neglecting the subway industry.

“If the government cares about civil rights, it must try to solve air pollution problem in the first place by improving public transportation,” Qalibaf noted, referring to Rouhani’s recent introduction of Charter on Citizens’ Rights.

“However, the government receives loans for car import but not for public transport.”

“The subway industry was hampered by lack of governmental support. Everything is almost done, we just need subsidy for wagon building. According to Iran’s law, the government has a duty to fund 50% of subway costs. It has failed to meet this obligation until now.”

He went on to say that to negotiate with the world, the government should consider domestic capacities at first.

“Despite being deeply affected by the sanctions, the subway wagons have been made like before through the increasing efforts of our workers.”

“So the sanctions caused a boom in Iranian subway construction,” he added.

 

Interior Minister Vows to Pursue Issue of Subway Trains

Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli later promised to follow up on the issue of subway trains in Tehran, and stressed that the Transport Minister Mahmoud Akhondi has good plans to resolve the problem.

He also noted that the contracts for supply of 2,000 wagons will be signed in the near future.

Rahmani Fazli at the same time urged the Municipality of Tehran to put the issue of subway system high on its agenda to resolve the traffic jam problem in Tehran.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

Iran hands death sentences to 3 Israel spies over their role in nuclear scientist assassination

An Iranian court has sentenced three individuals affiliated with Israel to death after they were…

4 hours ago

Iran says to respond to Israel’s assault at appropriate time

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has warned that Tehran will give a proper response…

4 hours ago

Judiciary: Jamshid Sharmahd dies before execution of death sentence

A spokesperson for Iran’s Judiciary announced that Jamshid Sharmahd, leader of the “Tondar” terrorist group…

4 hours ago

Israeli PM considers offering millions to Hamas for release of hostages

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed offering Hamas “several million dollars” for each Israeli…

4 hours ago

Israel’s army struggling with shortage of soldiers: Report

Israel’s military is facing a critical manpower problem as it runs short of thousands of…

4 hours ago

Iranians in Europe protest against EU sanctions on Iran Air

Iranians residing in Europe have launched an online petition to protest the European Union and…

4 hours ago