The Shanghai-Hangzhou magnetic levitation rail project, which
has residents along the route worried about magnetic radiation
pollution, is still in the "initial discussion phase," a government
spokeswoman said Tuesday.
"One of the tasks in this phase is to submit an environmental
impact report to the State Environmental Protection Administration
(SEPA)," Jiao Yang, a spokeswoman for the Shanghai municipal
government, told a regular press conference.
"Local authorities are carrying out an in-depth feasibility
study, hearing opinions from experts and residents, and evaluating
the environmental impact of the project," she said.
Approved by the central government in March 2006, the 175-km
Shanghai-Hangzhou maglev rail project is estimated to cost 35
billion yuan (US$4.5 billion). Trains will be able to reach a speed
of 450 km per hour.
According to the design blueprint, the maglev route will run
southwest from the existing maglev station in Shanghai's financial
center. It will go to the Shanghai World Expo venue and cross the
Huangpu River to Shanghai Southern Railway Station.
From there, a double track is planned with the northern route
leading to Hongqiao International Airport and the southern route
linking Jiaxing and Hangzhou cities by following the
Shanghai-Hangzhou expressway.
The 34.8-km Shanghai leg of the proposed maglev route will
traverse the districts of Pudong, Xuhui and Minhang. Minhang
District in the southern suburbs of Shanghai will be the junction
of the two lines.
But the project impacts the direct interests of people living
along the route, and some residents, scholars and organizations
have been questioning its environmental impact, SEPA deputy head
Zhang Lijun said during an online interview last Wednesday by
China's central government website.
He said SEPA has received an environmental assessment report of
the project from the contractors and will invite experts to assess
the project's environmental impact.
The official said the SEPA will make its decision based on a
scientific evaluation, after thoroughly studying the opinions of
experts and the public.
(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2007)
