Transrapid on fire
The expansion of the Maglev or transrapid from Shanghai to Hangzhou has been suspended for fear of radiation, state media wrote this weekend. (h/t CDT). Official reason is the concern of citizens for their health.
An official with the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress confirmed a major reason for the suspension was the radiation concerns from residents living along the proposed route.
While I'm not a radiation expert, it sounds to me like a load of bullshit that is being used to look good in the eyes of the concerned citizens and to hide the real reason: the high costs. Accidents both a fire in Shanghai and a derailment in Germany had already complicated the negotiations with the German participants, the New York Times writes.
