"Alarmed by the subway fire in South Korea last February, we have initiated a renovation project to reinforce the city's metro safety," Sun Jianping, deputy director of Shanghai Construction and Management Commission, reported to members of Shanghai People's Political Consultative Conference who inspected underground rail transportation system yesterday.

More than 100 people died in the February subway fire in Daegu, South Korea.

The Shanghai Metro Operation Co Ltd, the operator of the city's three existing metro lines, pledged to improve signs which help guide people to escape in case a fire breaks out on both trains and in stations.

"All the signs will be luminated, thus enabling passengers to see clearly when it falls into darkness during emergencies," said Zou Song, an official with the company.

Signs for fire extinguishers will also be made clear, he added.

Meanwhile, passengers will find it easier to walk through the underground passages at the two most crowded stations of Xujiahui and People's Square.

"Before May 1 Labor Day holiday, we had removed about 83 boutique stalls at the two stations to leave more room for passengers," said Zou.

Officials are also making emergency exits wider. Normally, emergency exits sit between each passengers' exit and the operators' booth.

Shield doors, which are supposed to protect passengers from falling off platforms, are also being tested and will be installed at major stations soon.

Officials said Hengshan Rd Station will have the shield doors first, but didn't say when installation will be complete.

Shanghai subways are, in fact, quite safe and systems are in place to prevent accidents.

Every compartment in local metro trains is equipped with two systems of fire extinguishers for emergency use: One is operated with water, the other is operated with gas.

The trains are also monitored at each metro station as well as by the central control room.

All the materials used on trains and inside the stations are not flammable, according to the city's metro officials.

(eastday.com June 13, 2003)