Southwestern China's major city of Chongqing began construction of its first subway line on Friday.

The 36-kilometer No. 1 subway line, starts from Chaotianmen in the east of downtown Chongqing and ends in University Town in the west with a total of 23 stations.

At a cost of 12.5 billion yuan (US$1.6 billion), the subway line will be completed and put into use in 2011, according to the construction company.

Chongqing currently has a 19.15-km light rail in operation. Another light rail is also under construction.

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2007)