China's Ministry of Railways has allocated 332 billion yuan (about US$42.6 billion) to railway construction and purchase of new vehicles in 2007.

About 256 billion yuan (US$32.8 billion) will be used to purchase land, building substructures and laying tracks, another 16 billion will be used to renovate existing railway facilities and the remaining 60 billion yuan will be spent on vehicles.

The ministry said that 2,099 kilometers of new track and 2,347 kilometers of double-track would be laid this year.

It said 607 kilometers of new track, 663 kilometers of double-track and 2,019 kilometers of electric rail will be put into use this year.

The ministry said priority would go to the construction of railways for passenger transport, coal transportation and inter-regional lines this year.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2007)