The Shanghai-Hangzhou magnetic levitation (maglev) train line,
whose environmental impact has raised concerns among residents,
will be the subject of further public opinion surveys, Shanghai
Mayor Han Zheng said on Thursday.
"All opinions from citizens, for or against, are valued by the
government," Han said. He said that experts would study the
opinions and further surveys would be conducted.
Construction of the 31.8-kilometer Shanghai section of the train
line connecting Longyang Road with Hongqiao, home to the city's
second international airport, was shelved last May due to fierce
opposition from those living near the railway. The public expressed
fears of radiation and noise, particularly as the track would be
separated from communities along the route by a greenbelt only 22.5
meters wide.
The local government has held several surveys of residents, the
latest of which was conducted earlier this month. No detailed
information was available on the responses, but the route and
length of the rail line were adjusted to put more of the system
underground and reduce the number of people to be relocated.
"We welcome citizens to voice opinions through legal channels,"
Han said. "In the future, we would continue listening to people's
opinions about major projects."
The 35-billion-yuan (4.5 billion U.S. dollars) Shanghai-Hangzhou
maglev project, using German technology, is to run 175 km in all
between Shanghai and Hangzhou. If completed, it will be the world's
second commercial high-speed maglev track. Shanghai operates the
world's only commercial maglev system on a 30-km stretch between
the business district and Pudong airport.
(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2008)