Baghdad awaits metro project and integrated transportation network

BAGHDAD, November 8 — Nasser Al-Asadi, advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa’ Al-Sudani for Transport Affairs, revealed that the Baghdad Metro project may soon become a reality as well as the Integrated Transportation System project that will connect all modes of transportation within the city, including trains, buses, and private vehicles.

In an interview with journalist Khatam Al-Ghrawi, Al-Asadi said, “The issue of traffic congestion and the maintenance of road capacities is a complex matter. The solutions must adhere to very precise standards to avoid errors resulting from chaotic handling. Therefore, patchwork solutions will not be as successful since there should be a comprehensive solution to this problem.”

Modern Baghdad city was originally designed to accommodate 450,000 vehicles, but now sees as many as five million vehicles per day — 10 times its capacity. Traffic jams and pollution have become mainstays in the capital as a result.

The Integrated Transportation System program aims to restore order to the city’s roadways.

“Proper and sustainable transportation solutions must be provided, including safe and efficient means of transportation,” Al-Asadi said. “The main problem in Baghdad is the lack of a comprehensive transportation plan, which has greatly affected transportation solutions in the city. Therefore, private and public transportation have become haphazard. River transportation in Baghdad is also very limited.”

According to Al-Asadi, the new transport plan involves redeveloping the transportation system, reclassifying streets into three categories, and creating a network to reach areas by buses, all connected to the Baghdad Metro, which will cover 80 percent of the capital.