Ahmadinejad criticizes Tehran traffic jams

The worsening traffic situation in the Iranian capital of Tehran has drawn criticism from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In a Wednesday night televised interview, Ahmadinejad said that he is prepared to 'personally intervene' in the management of Tehran to reduce terrific jams in the city, which is home to over ten million people.

"We have solutions for Tehran and I believe I will soon have to personally intervene in Tehran's issues because I see that the traffic situation is making our citizens suffer," said the former Tehran mayor.

The latest figures released by the Tehran Municipality show citizens of the Iranian capital waste about 20 million hours in traffic jams every day.

The report found Tehran had the worst traffic situation in the entire country and that a rush-hour driver in the capital spends more than 1.5 hours in slow or stopped traffic every day.

Roads, public transportation and telecommuting are not keeping pace with the increased number of kilometers people are driving, which is causing the congestion.

Ahmadinejad went on to say that his administration plans to take over the control of the Tehran Metro Company from the municipality.

The remarks came as the Tehran Municipality and government are in disagreement about providing the capital's subway system with state subsidies.

The president also called on Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf and the Tehran City Council to agree with shifting the management of the metro to the government.