Shulin railway undergrounding proposal sparks political spat

New Taipei City mayoral candidate Li Shih-chuan has proposed the undergrounding of the Shulin railway line as part of his platform. The plan aims to improve local transportation infrastructure and potentially alleviate urban congestion.

However, the proposal has drawn immediate criticism from the campaign office of rival candidate Su Chiao-hui. Wu Ssu-hsuan, a spokesperson for Su's campaign, dismissed Li's pledge as an "empty promise" or "watermelon ticket", a colloquial term for a political promise that is unlikely to be fulfilled.

Wu emphasized Su Chiao-hui's deep connection to Shulin, highlighting her decade-long tenure as a legislator representing the area. According to Wu, Su is well-aware of the significant challenges facing the railway undergrounding project. The primary obstacle, Wu stated, is the complex issue of land acquisition, which requires substantial effort and negotiation.

The exchange underscores the political maneuvering and differing approaches to urban development as the mayoral election approaches. Li's proposal seeks to address infrastructure needs, while Su's campaign questions its feasibility and criticizes it as a political ploy.