TBILISI, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Georgia has unveiled a three-year plan to double the country's railway network capacity and expand passenger services, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced Wednesday.

Kobakhidze said that a new plan to purchase 50 locomotives and 1,500 wagons may increase annual passenger numbers from 2 million to 5 million.

"We will purchase 10 new passenger trains," he said. "As a result, passenger transportation will become significantly more comfortable and faster for both locals and visitors."

Key upgrades include a new direct route linking the capital Tbilisi with Kutaisi. The Tbilisi-Batumi line, which connects the capital with the Black Sea port city, is due for completion in August, cutting travel time from five and a half hours to four.

In addition, the Tbilisi-Akhaltsikhe route, suspended in 2009, will reopen with a reduced journey time of three hours, and the historic Borjomi-Bakuriani line will also be refurbished. ■