Local officials lobby for railway projects

Local government officials have been making frequent visits to the Ministry of Railways (MOR) during the National Railway Meeting, which ended yesterday, to lobby for railway construction projects in their areas to be continued after the budget for railway construction was slashed.

Railway construction has slowed down since the train tragedy in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province on July 23. A total of 24 construction projects were delayed after an overall assessment and examination of all Chinese railways conducted by an expert team organized by the State Council in the wake of the tragedy.

"I asked about the remaining railway construction projects in my province, and I've got nothing," Zhang Hui, an official from the capital of a central province, was quoted by the Beijing-based newspaper China Times as saying.

An important railway route in Zhang's province was reportedly delayed until 2016-20. The route connecting several scenic spots was originally planned to be completed in 2014 and all preparations have been made.

Zhang was one of several officials to visit the MOR. From December 7 to December 14, Sheng met top leaders from five regions including Tianjin, Hunan Province and the Tibet Autonomous Region, the report said.

Though Zhang lobbied the MOR on behalf of his province, he was unable to obtain a final answer on the issue.

"MOR staff mentioned an increasing investment percentage, which should be negotiated by our provincial leaders and MOR," Zhang said.