TEHRAN — The longest subway line in Tehran, considered the longest in the Middle East, was inaugurated in attendance of President Hassan Rouhani and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Tuesday.

The north half of the line 3, stretching 18 kilometers in length, was constructed over 14 months with the total cost of 2,000 billion tomans ($66.5 million). Over 90 percent of the total budget was provided by Tehran Municipality.

With the exploitation of line 3, it is now stretching 37 kilometers.

The newly launched stations will add one million people to the number of the passengers using train each day.

The amount of concrete used in the construction of line 3 is 50 times more than that used in Milad Tower. Similarly the reinforcement steel bars utilized in the structure exceed those used in Eifel Tower by 25 times.

The subway line, which will save much time and fuel, will also play an important role in easing traffic congestion in the metropolis of Tehran.

On Monday, Ghalibaf thanked all the workers and those involved in the project on his Instagram page, ISNA reported.

MQ/PA