An underground railway, stretching for about nine kilometers, will connect two major railway stations in Beijing in 2007.

The project was launched Saturday in a bid to provide conveniences for passengers who need to transfer between the two stations, Beijing Railway Station and Beijing West Railway Station, according to Beijing Railway Department.

The project is also expected to relieve the stressed ground traffic situation in urban Beijing.

Millions passengers transfer trains between the two stations annually. It would take them at least half an hour's ride to travel between the two stations.

The project involves about 2.3 billion yuan (US$288 million) and is expected to be completed and put into operation in 2007.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2005)