The Ministry of Environmental Protection recently issued a notice saying if major changes happen to rail construction projects, the environmental impact should be reassessed, the People's Daily reported Tuesday.

The notice said that when the rail construction projects are at the design stage and before the projects begin, or before any major changes take place, the designers and contractors of the rail construction projects should check the construction plans and environmental impact assessment report.

If there is a change happening to the construction plans or to the environmental protection measures, contractors should submit a new environmental impact assessment report for approval.

The notice also defines the major changes of rail construction projects in six aspects, the newspaper said.