UPGRADE THE ALISHAN RAIL

Earlier this week, a train in Alishan was struck by a falling oak tree, killing five and injuring 108 tourists.

After the accident, the authorities have stepped up the safety inspections on the trees along the track in the area, while legislators are suggesting the Taiwan Railway Administration to take over the management of the Alishan section in the future.

Meanwhile, the Forestry Bureau said, if everything goes well with the inspection, the train will resume its operation within one week.

The Alishan Forest Railway derailment is the responsibility of the Forestry Bureau's Railway section which only has 20 employees in the office and another 148 people involved in operations. Legislators say that the line should be professionally managed by the MOTC's Railway Bureau.

This would enhance the management according to legislators.

The Forestry Service already had this plan, but the MOTC says a takeover involves the property management and personnel deployment, and even a budget, which is all in the negotiation stage.

Because of this accident, the Forestry Bureau will expand the safety zone around the tracks from 5 meters to about 8.5 meters.

They will be even more wary of trees collapsing onto the tracks with more patrols.

Legislators have asked the Forestry Bureau to inspect the track as it is expected this line will be suspended for a week to check nearby trees before operations resume.

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