X-ray used for safety inspection

Yesterday, two X-ray scanners were put into use at the Metro Line 1's Shanghai Railway Station, which aims to increase the security before the start of the 2010 Shanghai Expo.

Security is an essential issue as 3.2 million commuters are using the subway every day and that numbers are still increasing.

The Metro authorities revealed that they were going to add more machines to busy stations on other lines and especially those ones near the Expo zone.

About 30 X-ray scanners and 90 portable detectors will be put into use for 280 Metro stations. And 5,000 more cameras will be installed in stations near the Expo zone.

At some stations, metro security guards and volunteers are using portable detectors to do spot checks. People, carrying gasoline, fireworks, poisons, chemicals and corrosive materials, may be the main target. Besides, a random check only takes about 30 seconds to a minute.

Shanghai police said there would be a deep discussion about the detailed plans with the Metro operator, Shanghai Shentong Metro Group.

So far, more than 2,000 people have been detected carrying dangerous goods and more than 7,500 banned goods have been seized, according to Metro police. People carrying banned items will take a 15 days' detention and other penalties.