The University of Science and Technology has announced a plan to computerize Mashhad city and make it one of the world's most modern cities, Mashhad Mayor Ahamd Norouzi said here Sunday, IRNA reported.

Mashhad, the second holiest city in Iran, has about two million residents, he said.

Addressing administrative officials of Mashhad province, he said a feasibility study on the plan had been conducted two years ago.

The ambitious plan intends to meet all essential services any modern city would require such as those required in city and provincial administration and those of various districts and municipalities, service companies, sales ticket offices as well as retail outlets and chain stores, he said.

An electronic city will help its residents save time and energy in attending to routine work thereby reducing the people's cost of living and provide quality services, he pointed out.

Experts are now working on various aspects of the project such as the financial and information benefits that may be derived from the availability of electronic services, he said.

The executive director of the project, Ali Akbar Jalaei, said the possibility of Mashhad becoming an electronic city would enhance its status in the international community as well as promote the system in the the Middle East.