Chamran: Request to Impeach Tehran's Mayor Is Not Against the Law / Metro Wagon Imports Still in Limbo / Metrobuses Will Not Solve Tehran's Transport Problem

According to KhabarOnline, Mehdi Chamran said on Sunday, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 441st session of the Islamic Council of Tehran: "The district mayor was supposed to be invited to the council to give explanations about the drying of the Chitgar trees."

IRNA wrote: Referring to the resolution of the Chitgar park water problem over the past two years, he stated: "If this step had not been taken, the remaining trees would have dried up as well. We set a budget for irrigating green spaces and drew up a plan so that we would not face problems in this regard; we no longer want to use wells to irrigate green spaces."

Responses to More Than 99 Percent of Council Members' Warnings

On the municipality's responsiveness to council members' written warnings, the head of the Islamic Council of Tehran said: "Each warning relates to a specific subject, and members issue warnings within the framework of their duties. These warnings are answered, and if we do not receive a response, we follow the matter up."

He added: "The municipality's deputy for council affairs has announced that more than 99 percent of council members' warnings have been answered, and it has also made these figures available to us."

The Request to Impeach the Mayor Is Not Against the Law

On the request by one council member to impeach the mayor of Tehran, Chamran stated: "Any member can pursue this matter based on the law. It may have been recommended that such a step not be taken, but this is not against the law; nevertheless, the country's public interests must also be taken into account."

Fulfilling Urban Management Promises Requires an Approved Budget

On the extent to which the promises of the sixth term of urban management have been fulfilled, the head of the Islamic Council of Tehran said: "I have no insistence on comparing terms. In Mr. Ahmadinejad's time, when we had just joined the council, every promise that was made came to fruition, and it is the same today."

He added: "Promises approved in the council's plan must be implemented, but if a matter has not been foreseen in the council's approved budget, its implementation is not possible, because realizing plans requires an approved budget."

Stating that figures and reports exist on how far the promises have been operationalized, Chamran said: "To precisely assess the extent of fulfillment, the different sectors must be evaluated."

The Metro Wagon Import Contract Has Not Yet Become Operational

Referring to the metro wagon import contract not having become operational, the head of the Islamic Council of Tehran said: "This was not a promise but a plan, yet it has still not become operational. This contract reached 800 wagons, while Tehran's share is more than 1,000 wagons that must be imported."

He added: "Despite the wagons having been transferred onto a ship, this contract has still not reached a conclusion, and resolving this issue must be pursued between the governments of Iran and China, a matter beyond the duties of Tehran's municipality."

On the state of the new buses, Chamran also stated: "A number of electric buses have been transported and some of them are operating in Tehran, bringing about a transformation in this area. Two-section buses have also arrived and can greatly help the public transport fleet."

He continued: "A number of other buses have also been purchased that can be transported overland. The purchase of these buses was made by a company, and the same company must provide the means needed to transfer them."

Metrobuses Will Not Solve Tehran's Transport Problem

On the movement of metrobuses across the city, the head of the Islamic Council of Tehran said: "Instead of three-section buses, two single-section or two-section buses can be purchased. Three-section buses run on straight routes, and the transport deputy has also announced that it is not possible to modify squares for the movement of these buses."

Referring to the possibility of modifications at Enghelab Square, he added: "Modifications may be made at this square, but in my opinion there is no necessity. These buses have suitable capacity in terms of mass passenger movement, but they will not solve the transport problem. They are also in good shape in appearance."

Organizing Tehran's Tourism Complexes Within a Single Company

On the activities of the Milad Tehran tourism company, Chamran stated: "Previously, we did not have a strong custodian for handling tourism affairs, and it was decided that tourism complexes would be organized within a single company. On this basis, the Milad Tehran tourism company has begun its work and affairs are progressing well."

Stating that tourism in Tehran is weak and citizens are still unfamiliar with part of the capital's historical attractions, he expressed hope that the company's activities would help develop urban tourism.

The head of the Islamic Council of Tehran also announced that today's council agenda includes reviewing the operating bylaw of the city's electronic services offices, four audit reports, reviewing registration plaques, amending the orchards law and an investment plan.