BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Beijing is to open a new subway line ahead of Oct. 1, the National Day of the People's Republic of China, said the city's transport authorities.

    The No. 4 subway line, which runs through the heart of the city from south to north, is 28.2 km long with 24 stations. It is expected to handle more than 400,000 passengers a day.

    Media have reported the new line would be put into use on Sept.25 or 28, but a spokesman with the Beijing Municipal Committee of Transport told Xinhua Tuesday the final date was yet to be decided.

    Currently, Beijing has eight subway lines covering 200 kilometers.