Shanghai's Metro constructor has started to investigate claims by a security guard that workers cut corners on materials along the under-construction Line 12.

Shanghai's Metro Line 12.[File photo]

A guard on the site of Line 12's Longcao Road Station in Xuhui District, told a local radio program yesterday that workers "put in only one steel reinforcing cage" instead of three as required.

"Workers cut back on materials once managers were not around," claimed Li, who said he alerted his security company as well as the builder, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co Ltd.

Far from being thanked, the security company, instead beat him and fired him, claimed Li.

The site has been closed and work suspended.

In a statement, the city Metro authority, Shanghai Shentong Metro Group, said a third-party - the Shanghai Geotechnical Investigations and Design Institute - is conducting checks on the steel cages underground.

"Analysis to date shows the steel reinforcing bars meet requirements and no material quality problems were found," said the statement.

Zhao Jun, a deputy general manager with the tunnel company, told Shanghai Daily that "the builder will allow more cages to be checked in the coming days."

Zhao said they were aware of Li's allegations on October 8. Work had already partly stopped for a self-check before the media coverage, according to Zhao.

The official said he did not know where Li obtained his information.

Zhao claimed he did not know Li was beaten and fired. "That's an issue between him and the security company."

Final results on other cages are expected next week.

Zhao said 128 such cages have been built on the site to date.

"If necessary, the institute will check them all," he said.

Construction work of the station started on January 30 and is expected to be finished by June 2013.

Line 12 will run by 2014 from the city's northeast to its southwest, with 30-plus stations and 40 kilometers of track across eight districts.

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