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Hong Kong to look into completing rail link in Northern Metropolis earlier after lawmakers voice concerns over potential jobs, housing mismatch
- Development chief tells lawmakers enterprises could move into Northern Metropolis by 2030, followed by residents, triggering questions on plan’s feasibility
- Lawmakers ask whether jobs will be available for residents as the Northern Link may not open until 2034
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![The proposed Northern Metropolis, located on land near the mainland border, is expected to create up to 650,000 jobs. Photo: May Tse](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2023/06/30/a7ddf3bb-4fec-4d0e-b2ec-6cbb2d69d285_76f94938.jpg?itok=3t9so7Qs&v=1688122016)
Authorities will look into completing a major rail line in Hong Kong’s New Territories earlier after lawmakers voiced concerns over a potential mismatch between housing and jobs in the Northern Metropolis megaproject.
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The ambitious metropolis project, described by the administration as a new driving force for economic growth and integration with mainland China, was announced in 2021 by former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and covers a total land area of about 300 sq km.
Located in the northern part of Hong Kong, bordering the mainland, the area is said to be capable of housing a population of 2.5 million and create 650,000 job opportunities when fully developed.
![Development chief Bernadette Linn says concrete details will be provided later. Photo: K. Y. Cheng Development chief Bernadette Linn says concrete details will be provided later. Photo: K. Y. Cheng](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2023/06/30/c3ee287c-4339-44a2-b71a-63ec2fa35b5d_8c6e0b1e.jpg)
In a Legislative Council discussion on Friday, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said enterprises could move in by 2030, followed by residents, triggering questions from lawmakers about the plan’s feasibility.
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