Maintenance of rural roads to be reformed

The State Council released a circular on Sept 23 to reform the management and maintenance mechanism for rural roads, with the goal of specifying responsibilities and powers of related departments, and attracting social forces to participate in supporting rural roads.

According to the circular, an effective mechanism for the roads will be established by 2035.

Road maintenance fees will be replaced by newly added revenue out of fee and tax reforms on refined oil, the circular said, adding that no less than 80 percent of reform transfer payments should be used to maintain existing roads, and not to build new roads.

It also required more financial support for maintaining rural roads, intensified supervision and management of road maintenance funds, investment and fundraising mechanism innovation for developing rural roads, and further marketization reforms on maintaining rural roads.