Cabinet approves budget for improving railroadsBy Wu Liang-yi and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Cabinet has approved a NT$7.8 billion (US$244.6 million) proposal to harden the railroads in Taiwan proper’s eastern and southern regions against natural disasters over five years, beginning this year, officials said yesterday. The central government and state-run rail corporation would provide 97.5 percent and 2.5 percent of the funds respectively, they said. Taiwan Railway Corp’s Chongde Station in Hualien County is pictured in an undated photograph. The budget is part of this year’s general budget that has stalled amid the deadlock at the Legislative Yuan, officials said. The opposition, which holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, should fund this program by passing this year’s general budget, Wu said.

Source: Taipei Times March 17, 2026 17:11 UTC