In a talk with YJC, Ali Emam added that over the past year, the prices of all commodities have surged in Iran, which has affected Tehran Metro’s expansion plans.
“At least 30 trillion rials ($214 million) are needed for equipping Line 7 and the construction cost of Line 6 will amount to 7 trillion rials ($50 million). Another 30 trillion rials are needed for purchasing equipment for the line,” he said.
The development project relies heavily on imports since a large portion of the equipment needed are not manufactured in Iran, according to Financial Tribune.
Over the past year and following the reimposition of US sanctions against Tehran, the Iranian economy has tanked and the national currency has depreciated by 70%, following which the prices of all commodities, especially imported goods, have skyrocketed.
Work in Progress
While the economic headwinds have pressured urban managers, the subway’s development plan has not been derailed and is continuing to make progress.
Earlier, Emam told reporters that the eastern flank of Tehran Metro’s Line 7 will become operational in the current Iranian year (started March 21).
He added that 10 stations along the eastern side of the line, namely Mohammadieh, Molavi, Qiam Square, 17 Shahrivar, Mokhber, Mahallati, Ahang, Golha, Basij and Takhti, will become operational before the end of the current Iranian year.
"These 10 stations extend to about 8 kilometers of Line 7 on the far eastern side of the capital," he added.
The 27-km line, which connects the northwestern to southeastern parts, is to have 25 stations. The construction of Line 7 tunnel has been completed.
Emam noted that the stations will open as soon as the signaling equipment, escalators, air-conditioning and fire extinguishing systems are installed.
Last month, the first three stations of the line were launched. With a 15-minute headway between trains, commuters can now take the subway from Helal Ahmar Station in downtown Tehran to Tarbiat Modares Station near Chamran and Jalal Al-e-Ahmad expressway junction, to Sanat Square in northwest Tehran.
The construction of Line 7 has been an unending saga since its partial opening in June 2017.
Its premature launch by former mayor, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, amid the 2017 presidential campaign was strongly criticized by public transport experts and urban planners because it disregarded safety rules and protocols.
Qalibaf’s successor, Mohammad Ali Najafi, ordered the closure of the line to prevent any safety incident.
Tehran Mayor Pirouz Hanachi, who took over from Najafi, now says all safety standards have been taken into consideration.
More Good News
Tehran Metro comprises seven lines, with nearly 100 stations. Lines 6 and 7 are undergoing construction.
Clarifying the progress in the construction of Line 6, Emam said Imam Hossein (PBUH) Station in the line will be launched in the coming months, increasing the number of active stations in the line to four.
Following the launch, the station will serve as a junction between lines 6 and 2. Line 2 connects Farhangsara Station in eastern Tehran to Sadeqieh in the west.
In early April, 9 kilometers of Line 6 with 3 stations, namely Dolatabad, Besat and Shohada, were inaugurated.
When fully constructed, Line 6 will stretch over 38 km and have 27 stations. It will be the longest line in the subway network and connect Shahr-e Rey in southeast Tehran to the famed Sulqan rural district in the northwest.
Later, the line will expand to Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine in the district of Rey to southern Tehran.
In tandem with extending the capital's subway, Emam said, "The construction of radar rooms, control towers and train depots should progress."
Depots, also referred to as engine sheds, are places where trains are usually housed, repaired and maintained when not in use.
According to metro officials, after the completion of all projects, the subway will carry up to 9 million passengers daily from the current 3 million.