The Guangdong Provincial Government on Monday gave the go-ahead to build a giant intercity light rail network linking Guangzhou's Metro Line 5 with the Shenzhen airport.

The rail line, which will pass Dongguan, will have 15 stations over a distance of 97 km.

Cities in the Pearl River Delta are linked mostly by highways and a surge in private car ownership in the region has led to frequent traffic jams on intercity highways. The existing Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway is under increasing strain.

The new intercity light rail system is expected to provide a more efficient means of transport for intercity travelers and alleviate the pressure on highways.

The Guangzhou-Dongguan-Shenzhen light rail system is part of a planned fast rail service network in the Pearl River Delta area.

Editor: Yan