Karaj, Qom Subway Projects Progressing at Snail’s Pace

The development of subway networks has been touted as a priority by the urban managers of Iranian megacities. However, expansion plans are crawling in Karaj and Qom.
Unlike the capital city of Tehran—with a population of 9 million—which is advancing its subway expansion plans with greater speed and efficiency, other major cities are lagging far behind. This is mainly because of lack of funds.
The subway network in the capital, which currently handles over 14 million trips daily, comprises seven lines (Lines 1 to 7). This figure will see a jump with the unfinished lines 6 and 7 becoming fully operational. The city’s metro tunnels stretch over 220 kilometers with 120 stations.
Work is rapidly continuing to complete the construction of the capital's metro network. An additional four lines have been designed to link the spots in the city, missed by the seven lines, to the network.