The Railways Department ( Chinese: 鐵路署) is a proposed Hong Kong government department. The Railway Development Office of the Highways Department and the Railways Branch of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department would be merged into the new department, which would be subordinate to the Transport and Housing Bureau. [1]
The government proposed the new department in response to recent high-profile railway safety scandals in Hong Kong, such as the problems surrounding the construction of the enlarged Hung Hom station. [1] The commission of inquiry formed to investigate the Hung Hom situation was critical of the Highways Department for failing to properly monitor the project. [2]
Establishment of the department is planned for 2023. [3]
References
- ^ a b "Enhanced Monitoring, Control and Regulatory Strategies for New Railway Projects and Operating Railways, and Proposed Establishment of Railways Department" (PDF). Legislative Council. Transport and Housing Bureau. January 2021.
- ^ "New department 'won't solve rail project woes'". RTHK. 13 May 2020.
- ^ Leung, Kanis (31 January 2021). "Hong Kong to create new department by 2023 to oversee rail projects after string of controversies at MTR Corp". South China Morning Post.
