Baghdad plans $3bn subway

Baghdad today announced plans to build a $3bn (€2.35bn) subway system to help cut pollution and ease traffic on the city’s chronically clogged streets.

Mayor Sabir al-Issawi said that Iraq’s cabinet has already earmarked funds for the project.

The subway would have two lines. One will run 11 miles from Shiite-dominated Sadr City in the east to the predominantly Sunni neighbourhood of Azamiyah in north Baghdad.

The second line will cover 13 miles and link mixed central Baghdad to the primarily Sunni western suburbs. Both lines will have 20 stations.