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Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
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HK approves funds for express rail link
Source: Xinhua |
January 18, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Saturday approved a proposal to earmark HK$66.9 billion (US$8.6 billion) for the construction of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong express rail link.
Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng said the project was in the best interest of Hong Kong and built for the next and future generations.
"It is not only a transport project, but also an important community investment," she said, adding that people from different sectors will benefit.
The approval came after marathon meetings of the finance committee as some LegCo members raised questions about the plan as supporters and protesters gathered outside the LegCo building to voice their opinions.
The Hong Kong section of the express rail link will be a 26-kilometer underground rail corridor from the terminus in west Kowloon to the boundary south of Huanggang, where it will connect to the mainland's section of the rail link.
The funding comprises a HK$55 billion cost for the construction of the railway, HK$11.8 billion for non-railway works and about HK$86 million for land acquisition and clearance.
Cheng said the HKSAR government would address people's concerns carefully and closely monitor the construction expenditure, regularly report the details to LegCo, and put in place a spending control mechanism.
The HKSAR government will consider working with the district council to hire professionals to provide advice to owners and residents of affected buildings in the Tai Kok Tsui area. It will also work on compensation arrangements for affected households in Choi Yuen Tsuen village, Cheng said.
Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng said the project was in the best interest of Hong Kong and built for the next and future generations.
"It is not only a transport project, but also an important community investment," she said, adding that people from different sectors will benefit.
The approval came after marathon meetings of the finance committee as some LegCo members raised questions about the plan as supporters and protesters gathered outside the LegCo building to voice their opinions.
The Hong Kong section of the express rail link will be a 26-kilometer underground rail corridor from the terminus in west Kowloon to the boundary south of Huanggang, where it will connect to the mainland's section of the rail link.
The funding comprises a HK$55 billion cost for the construction of the railway, HK$11.8 billion for non-railway works and about HK$86 million for land acquisition and clearance.
Cheng said the HKSAR government would address people's concerns carefully and closely monitor the construction expenditure, regularly report the details to LegCo, and put in place a spending control mechanism.
The HKSAR government will consider working with the district council to hire professionals to provide advice to owners and residents of affected buildings in the Tai Kok Tsui area. It will also work on compensation arrangements for affected households in Choi Yuen Tsuen village, Cheng said.
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