ZHENGZHOU, Feb. 18-- A section of the south-to-north water diversion project across central China's Henan Province will be completed by the end of May, local authorities said on Tuesday.

According to the Office of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project Commission of Henan, most work on the section was completed by the end of last year, and there are plans to invest another 8.39 billion yuan (1.38 billion U. S. dollars) this year in constructing the auxiliary projects.

The investment will be used for elements including information automation, water and soil conservation, and construction of green belts and fences, officials of the office said, adding that the section will begin trial operation in June.

The section is part of the middle route of China's south-to-north water diversion project. Most work on the route was completed by the end of last year, and it will supply water this year for 19 major cities and more than 100 smaller towns in north China.