China to build more highways, rail lines, airports in Tibet.

China has unveiled plans to build more highways and airports in Tibet by 2020 to make travel to the 'roof of the world' a lot easier with projects underway to construct a rail network to connect places along the borders with India, Nepal and Bhutan.

The plans include 1,10,000 kms of highways and 1,300 kms of railways, China's Ministry of Transport said.

The plan is to complete a primary network of railways by then with 1,300 kilometers of railway in operation, it said adding that the country will also build more airports in Tibet in addition to the six existing ones.

The rail line connecting Tibet's provincial capital Lhasa with Xigaze (also known as Shigatse) close to the Indian border in Sikkim as well as Nepal and Bhutan which is currently under trials would become operational next month.

Another new line connecting Lhasa to Nyingchi in the east is also expected to start construction soon. Nyingchi is located right on top of Arunachal Pradesh.

The railway expansion will connect Nepal, Bhutan and India by 2020, state-run Global Times reported.

BS