Mohammad Reza Kolai, the Mayor of Mashhad, criticized the government's indifference towards the development of urban infrastructure and public transportation in a meeting with reporters. He stated that the Mashhad municipality is not only responsible for managing the city but is also forced to implement construction projects. This situation has become a significant challenge, especially as the government does not pay its share of urban development costs.
Financial Challenges of Mashhad Municipality
Kolai pointed to the lack of government budgets and said: "According to the law, the cost of metro tickets should be divided among the passenger, the municipality, and the government, but in practice, the government does not pay its share, which puts additional pressure on the municipality." He added that the Mashhad municipality is facing a shortage of financial resources, which has negatively impacted the quality of urban services.
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The Impact of Government Non-Cooperation on Public Transportation
The Mayor of Mashhad pointed to existing problems in public transportation and said: "Without the support and cooperation of the government, we cannot hope to improve the public transportation situation in Mashhad." He also referred to ongoing construction projects and stated that these projects are beyond the municipality's capacity and require government financial support.
Kolai further noted that Mashhad, as one of the major metropolises in Iran, needs precise planning and sustainable financial resources to develop infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its citizens. He emphasized that a joint approach between the government and municipalities must be established to solve urban problems.
In conclusion, Mohammad Reza Kolai urged the government to pay more attention to the problems of municipalities and to allocate timely budgets to facilitate sustainable urban development. He expressed hope that with the cooperation of the government and relevant institutions, improvements could be made in public transportation and urban infrastructure in Mashhad.
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