Romania's Transport Ministry has asked the Government to close 1,474 km of unessential railway infrastructure, thereby cutting public spending on their maintenance and directing the funds to more important segments.

A draft Government decisions, drawn up by the ministry, says certain railroad segments are to be closed and sold, relieving the state budget and the national railway company's budget of the burden of investment and repairs.The savings could be directed to the development and modernization of the segments which see the most passenger and cargo traffic, says the draft's explanatory note.

According to the most recent data, Romania's railroad network is 20,210 km long, including 17,691 km in public management and 2,519 km in private management.

Source: Mediafax