Any win-win situation?
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| 70 percent of Losheng was demolished. |
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Source:http://lost-isle.blogspot.com/2007/03/27.html |
Many people think that the delay of the metro operation is because of the Losheng campaign. The former deputy chief of the Department of Rapid Transit Systems (DORTS) Chuay Ho-Yen explained that people should know that all the three parts of the metro construction are delayed. “The part within Sinjhuang is delayed by three years while the other two are by one and a half years. This explains that the delay of the metro construction cannot only be attributed to Losheng.”
Some people expect the residents to compromise since the government has already enlarged the boundary of reserved areas at the sanatorium and built up a new facility to house them. However a board member of Community Empowering Society Taiwan Hung De-Jen suggested that preservation of the sanatorium is simply a symbol, “We should keep in mind that these people have sacrificed themselves for life to the public interest. All members of the society owe them.”
The Losheng protesters suggested the DORTS to evaluate the possibility of partial revenue service so that the locals can still use the metro by sections. They also proposed some preservation plans backed up by experts and even the Council for Cultural Affairs. They are claiming that it’s worth preserving Losheng with an extra budget and time. “Don’t forget, seventy percent of Losheng has been demolished by the DORTS. The supporters are now protecting the thirty percent left,” said chief secretary of Green Party Taiwan Pan Han-Shen.
Mr Pan also warns that locals of Sinjhuang shouldn’t expect too much form the metro. “The metro only attracts those who used to take a bus and yet the amount of cars will still increase every year. The traffic jam won’t disappear and this has been proved in the areas with metro service,” he explained.
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