The station, built in 1969, is located at an important traffic terminal in the southwest. However, compared with stations in other provincial capitals, this one is the oldest and has the smallest transportation capacity.

With the start of the electrification of the Chengdu-Kunming railway on March 18, 1993, initiated to improve traffic conditions in southwest China, the reconstruction of the railway station has been treated as a priority.

Between April 2001 and June 30, 2003, some 54.52 million yuan (US$6.57 million) was invested for expansion and facility renovation.

With a budget allocation of 444.38 million yuan (US$53.54 million), the railway renovation is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2004.

The main building, the last and the toughest part of the reconstruction program, will be rebuilt on its original 27,712.6 square meter site.

Once operational, the station, comprised of five passenger platforms and 12 rail lines, will have a maximum daily transportation capacity of 115,000 people.

(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2003)