Some fifty-five kilometers of rail comprising 27 stations of Tehran's underground system are already operational and work is underway on the remaining 35 kilometers and 25 stations scheduled for completion in March 2005.
According to Chairman and Managing Director of the Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway Company (TUSRC), Mohsen Hashemi Bahramani, the total cost of the network is valued at $1.56 billion.
“Over and above the three lines, our blueprint currently projects a total of eight inner-city underground lines and five extensions to the towns of Hashtgerd, Parand, Pardis, Shahryar and Varamin,” said Bahramani.
“For the further development and expansion of the Tehran Metro lines, TURSC has proposed a TSE plan, which recommends investments by municipal authorities in tunnels, the private sector in stations and the government in equipment,” he said.
The Tehran subway network is expected to save energy and ease traffic jams in the capital, whose population totals 12 million. China’s Norinco company invested $100 million into the 25-kilometer underground rail project, which links the Mahrshahr and Hashtgerd suburbs near Tehran. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
