High-Speed Rail to Yilan: A Divisive Debate Rages in Taiwan

Environmental Impact Assessment Meeting Sparks Passionate Arguments For and Against the THSR Extension

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A public Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review for a proposed high-speed rail extension to Yilan ignited a flurry of debate, drawing a large and vocal crowd to a Ministry of Environment meeting on Monday morning.

Supporters of the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) extension argued that the East Coast of Taiwan has been underserved by infrastructure development for too long. They believe the project is crucial for regional economic growth.

Conversely, opponents voiced concerns that the EIA lacked sufficient detail and comprehensive analysis, as reported by CNA. These critics called for a more thorough assessment of the potential environmental and societal impacts.

The MOENV reported that 45 individuals registered to attend the hearing, with 34 people slated to deliver speeches. The structure of the public hearing mirrored a previous EIA review concerning the fourth liquefied natural gas terminal of the Concord Power Plant (Hsieh-ho).

Supporters of the extension brandished banners and urged the EIA committee to consider the fair distribution of transportation resources throughout eastern Taiwan. They emphasized the potential for a new THSR station in Yilan to stimulate regional development and revitalize local businesses.

In contrast, the opposition demanded the EIA process be paused until the Control Yuan completes its evaluation of the review's completeness. They also advocated for the inclusion of the Railway Bureau's alternative proposals to the THSR extension within the review for comparative analysis.

According to a 2020 Ministry of Transportation and Communications White Paper, extending the high-speed rail to Yilan promises to alleviate a railway bottleneck between Shulin and Qidu and enhance the speed and reliability of the eastern rail system. Upon completion of the extension, the journey time is projected to be reduced by 27 minutes compared to current Taiwan Railway travel times.