Nation looks to upgrade pipeline networks

China will upgrade old and massive underground urban pipelines in five years with the goal of reducing potential risks in expanding cities.

The move will require close cooperation among different departments, which will present challenges, experts said.

The country will finish the study on the complex underground pipeline networks in cities by the end of 2015. The governments then will create a new management system for the networks and work out a comprehensive plan on the urban underground pipelines, said the guideline, released by the State Council on Saturday.