n Chinese Vice-Minister of Railways Sun Yongfu has announced plans to build a second rail link to Tibet. Work on the 1600 km Kunming - Lhasa line would begin after completion of the Qinghai route in 2007.
n India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the construction of a 68·2 km broad gauge line between Koderma and Tilaiya, to carry coal from northern Karanpura to a new power station at Barh in Bihar.
n Minister for Railways & Communications Lt-Gen (Rtd) Javed Ashraf Qazi confirmed on December 1 that Pakistan Railways will invest over Rs60bn in modernisation and upgrading in the next 10 years. Up to 3000 km of main line track will need to be replaced.
n The Surface Transportation Board issued an Environmental Impact Statement on November 19 recommending the approval of Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad’s ambitious US$1·4bn plan to build a 450 km line into Wyoming’s Power River coalfield. Construction could get under way in 2003 for completion by 2006.
n Transport for London has put forward proposals to create an integrated transport authority for the British capital, with powers to control suburban rail operations. A draft map shows London Metro routes radiating up to 75 km from the city centre.
n Officials in Norfolk, Virginia, voted on November 14 to push ahead with plans for a US$360m 12·8 km light rail line, agreeing to pay up to 25% of the cost.
n Singapore Land Transport Authority has appointed a consortium of Binnie Black & Veatch, URS Consulting and Booz
