Construction of a major integrated transportation hub kicked off in the Pudong New Area on March 25, marking another milestone in the development of East China's Shanghai as a modern international metropolis with global influence, according to local officials.

Known as the eastern hub, the project is based on Shanghai's East Railway Station and will combine aviation, national railways, urban railways and metro transportation functions to facilitate the integration of the Yangtze River Delta region.

The Shanghai East Railway Station, located in Zhuqiao town in Pudong New Area, is adjacent to the Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

According to the plans, once completed the railway station will become the second-largest of its kind in Shanghai, after the Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.

In the future, the east railway station will be connected to the Shanghai-Nantong and Shanghai-Zhapu-Hangzhou lines and the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou line. Additionally, the station will also be connected to the Hongqiao railway station through the Shanghai Airport Link Line, as well to the Lin-gang Special Area through an express line.

Passengers will be able to travel from Shanghai East Railway Station to Pudong airport in just two stops using the airport link line.

The Pudong New Area will develop an east hub, with the Pudong International Airport and Shanghai East Railway Station as its core.

The east hub plan will add an annual capacity of 50 million air passengers, connecting the Yangtze River Delta with the world as a world-class transportation hub.