Anyang City Holds 'Railroad Network Construction Plan Briefing'…Urges Reflection in National Plans

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Anyang City held a 'Anyang Area Railroad Network Construction Plan Briefing' at the City Hall Auditorium on the 13th, urging the reflection of railroad projects in national plans together with citizens and experts.

The briefing was attended by approximately 600 people including Mayor Choi Dae-ho, National Assemblyman Min Byung-deok, provincial and city council members, advisors from state-funded research institutions, and Anyang citizens. The event included explanations of the Anyang area railroad network construction plan and progress, a reading of citizen petitions, expert consultations, and Q&A; sessions.

First, Moon Young-sook, Head of the Railroad Planning Team at Anyang City, explained the 'Anyang Area Railroad Network Construction Plan (Draft)' and implementation progress, taking into account technical feasibility, economic viability, and policy considerations.

The city is implementing the Anyang area railroad network construction plan that adds synergy to major development projects in the city and facilitates mutual growth between Man-an District and Dong-an District, including ▲extension of the Wirye-Gwacheon Line and Seoul Western Line to the Anyang area ▲underground development of the Gyeongbu Line Anyang section ▲additional stops for KTX-Eum at Anyang Station.

Citizens' petitions urging the reflection of these railroad projects in national plans were also read at the event.

Meanwhile, railroad projects must be reflected in national plans established every five years in order to subsequently proceed through preliminary feasibility studies by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and private finance feasibility studies. Currently, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is reviewing projects proposed by local governments, and plans to approve and announce the national plan next year following a public hearing.

Mayor Choi Dae-ho said, "I once again felt the great interest and passion of Anyang citizens," adding "We will sufficiently convey the commitment of the city and citizens to related agencies including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and will do our utmost to advance the construction plan for the Anyang area railroad network."