IRAN: The initial phase of Shiraz Urban Railway Organization’s metro Line 1 was officially opened by Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri on October 11.
The first section runs for 10·5 km between Ehsan in the north of the city and Namazi in the centre, with eight stations now open. It will be operated using a fleet of 27 five-car 1·5 kV DC overhead electric trainsets which are being supplied by China CNR Corp and local partner IRICO under a contract awarded in November 2010.
Construction of Line 1 began in 2001. The line is to be extend south from Namazi to Gol-e-Sorkh Square near the airport, taking it to 22·4 km with 20 underground stations and one surface station. Much of the line will be underground, with cut-and-cover sections and 12·5 km of twin 6 m diameter tunnels bored by a pair of earth pressure balance TBMs supplied by NFM Technologies.
The 15 km Line 2 now under construction will interchange with Line 1 at Imam Hosein Square. A 10 km Line 3 with five stations is planned, along with Lines 4, 5 and 6.
