The State Council has approved the plan to upgrade aging pipelines, especially gas pipelines in urban area, according to a circular released on June 10.

The plan urges to target all aging pipelines in cities. This year, a batch of upgrading projects will be soon launched. All aging pipeline upgrading projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, the circular said.

The upgrading objects are specified as aging urban gas, water, drainage and heat pipelines and facilities which are made of out-of-date materials and not in line with related standards. Serving a long time, the old pipelines may have potential safety risks.

Local city governments should launch comprehensive gas pipelines examination and invite qualified third-party inspection and evaluation institutions and professional units to evaluate whether the pipelines are too old.

Pipelines and facilities with salient safety risks should be prioritized to upgrade. A digital, networking and intelligent pipeline management system will be constructed while strengthening the maintenance management.

Local governments should streamline approval procedures and establish a fast approval mechanism for upgrading projects of gas and other pipelines. Related prices should be well managed while new equipment, technologies and crafts should be promoted.