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Underground Plans For Baghdad
November 17, 2008 10:00 AM
By MAZIN FAIQ, ABC News, Baghdad
The Iraqi government announced today that it has earmarked $3 billion to develop a subway scheme to ease congestion in the capital Baghdad.
But this is not exactly a new plan.
Saddam Hussein was believed to have launched a similar project in 1983. But Iraq's war with Iran apparently shifted the former dictator's priorities and at some point in the mid- '80s, he fired his crew of international contractors and shelved the subway plans.
Soon, Saddam was using the abandoned network of tunnels to store weapons and as a hideout for himself and his cronies.
But Baghdad's mayor announced plans today to revive this scheme. Sabir Al-Isawi released a statement saying that the Iraqi Cabinet has agreed to allocate fresh funds for Baghdad's new subway.
According to the mayor's plans, the new system is to have two lines. One would connect Sadr City, formerly known as Saddam city, Baghdad's poorest district and home to 2 million of its 5 million residents to the city center.
The other line is to link the central district of Masbah and the northern district of Adhamiyah.
The mayor's office hopes that the subway will help reduce the city's fabled congestion, especially, according to the press release. Baghdad is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. According to Baghdad municipality calculations, the population is growing at 2.4 percent a year, meaning that today's population of 6 million could reach 10.5 million by 2030.
These underground lines will therefore be crucial in providing transport for tomorrow’s Baghdadis.
Mayor Al Isawi also said that several overseas companies have already expressed interest in the contract to build Iraq's first underground transport system, an indication, in his eyes, of the country's improved security and returning prosperity.
November 17, 2008 in World View | Permalink | Share | User Comments (9)
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Absolutley a great plan.
With a secure Bagdhad safety and secuirty underground will be no issue. With nobody with their hand in the till 3 billion will be a snap and it will all get to the job. I live in Boston a great safe and secure City that has suffered through the 'Big Dig"! Its a fiasco even here without the bombs and war (someone tell the history channel that too!)
Posted by: Doc | Nov 17, 2008 10:27:19 AM
Where do you think they are going get that $3 billion? It's going to end up coming from the US, who should not be giving out more money. We are already to far in debt as country to stand by another failing country's ideas. The Iraqis are only going to destroy it with their internal skirmishes.
Posted by: Sage | Nov 17, 2008 10:36:15 AM
what the hell they're thinking. It is easier for Al-Qaida to smuggle a suicide car bomber and kill thousand in a subway
Posted by: Lee bong-bong | Nov 17, 2008 4:29:10 PM
During the current situation world countries are struggle in global economic crisis, they are willing to invest on this subway is really appreciate.
Posted by: Yuva | Nov 17, 2008 10:53:28 PM
Great idea, may even help Sadr City to grow economically which is a good thing. Let's hope there won't be too many bombs to derail the building.
Posted by: Ben Bourrigault | Nov 18, 2008 4:59:52 AM
Iraq is going to look like a Japan in 20 years. Because our leaders will exclusively open the US market to Iraq. Whatever country we invade and destroy, we eventually build up and show other nations the reward of being democratic....just like what we did with Japan. We can complain all we want as American citizens, but they won't care. the American war machine destroys, rebuilds, and sets an example. they could care less about us. that's the US government, for war and not the people.
Posted by: urma | Nov 18, 2008 5:07:54 AM
economic growth is a HUGE counter to insurgents and religious fanatics...the transportation system will empower millions and help the country... regarding security, I live in the city where the largest terror attack occurred and I'm still puzzled as to why there have been no subway attacks...even in Madrid and London, there have been relatively few attacks...
Posted by: Jazz | Nov 18, 2008 5:09:54 AM
its really good idea but the problem with secure stil there in baghdad , with out secure there is No new operations cause its all waste of mony and lives
with all respect
Posted by: Rasheed | Apr 9, 2009 1:17:13 PM
If that turns to be a true project its money will be from the the wealth of Iraq not from stolen donations of America or the stolen money from Tax payers.American adminstration destroyed Iraq but Iraq can raise up without any support from America. America reached a summit and its declining steeply.Russian ,Japanese or Europian companies are more likely to construct such a project.
Posted by: Adnan Bashir | Apr 9, 2009 1:32:10 PM
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