Raising petrol prices will not reduce Tehran traffic: Iranian mayor

TEHRAN,Feb.21(MNA) – Tehran's mayor said that the city's congestion would not be relieved by raising petrol prices, even if prices were hiked to 20,000 rials ($1.6) per liter, from their present level of 7,000 rials ($.56) per liter. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said petrol prices have jumped 100 times over the past 14 years yet petrol consumption is still high and there are many motorists still throng the capital's streets. In addition to congestion, Qalibaf said air pollution and noise pollution are the main challenges in Tehran and “efforts should be made to take the city out of the control of private cars” and develop the public transpiration system. He also said all the projects in Tehran are done with careful consideration. “Undoubtedly, all the decisions about the city has supporters and opponents but the important point is that nothing is done without study,” Qalibaf explained. The mayor predicted that all highway projects under construction in Tehran will be completed by the end of the next Iranian calendar year which starts on March 20, 2012. Referring to the Imam Ali Highway which stretches from northern Tehran to the south of the city, he said 8 trillion rials ($650 million) was required for construction costs and the municipality has entered into dialogue with 6,000 people whose houses are on the path of the highway. Qalibaf said that it was vital to change Tehran's car culture. He said: “We should not build expensive highways” to see them clogged up with drivers making unnecessary journeys, adding that the cost of using private cars should be increased. He said each car in Tehran should be tied to a parking space, a practice that has not been heeded by car manufactures. “The problem of Tehran traffic is the issue of management, and if the views are reformed the problems can be resolved in four years,” said Qalibaf.