English.caixin reported that the Chinese ministry of environmental protection would not approve the environmental impact report for a section of a rail line in Sichuan Province until its concerns were addressed.
The section of line a 15.8 kilometer stretch from Chengdu to Chuanzhusi in the northwest of the province cannot be built without ministry approval. The section is part of a line that runs from Chengdu to Lanzhou in neighboring Gansu Province.
First the line will enter a nature reserve and there were questions over its impact on the area's flora and fauna. Also there were concerns about noise from the line affecting a residential area.
Finally the ministry said the public was not properly consulted.
A source at the China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co Limited said that work on the Chengdu Chuanzhusi line started in February 2011. The company is designing the Chengdu Lanzhou line.
The company source would not comment on the ministry declining to approve the environmental impact report.
Work on the Chengdu-Lanzhou line was expected to be completed in 2017 and involve total investment of CNY 61.9 billion. It would allow travelers to make the 457 kilometer journey in four hours.
Source:
http://www.steelguru.com/chinese_news/Ministry_declines_to_approve_environmental_report_on_Sichuan_rail_line/296416.html
