Control yuan: Control Yuan members announced they have initiated an investigation into the project aiming to extend the high speed rail to Yilan County. This action comes in response to public and media concerns regarding the project’s decision-making process and the extent of citizen involvement.

According to Focus Taiwan, Control Yuan members Lin Sheng-fong, Su Li-chiung, and Shih Chin-fang highlighted the necessity of the investigation due to the abrupt proposal of the project by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Railway Bureau in 2019. This proposal replaced a longstanding plan to reduce rail travel time between Taipei and eastern Taiwan, which had been under discussion for over ten years.

Taiwan’s top government watchdog raised questions about whether the policy change underwent comprehensive and transparent procedures. This includes necessary steps such as a feasibility study, a detailed comparative analysis, and a review process mandated for major public infrastructure projects under existing regulations.

Additionally, the project was submitted for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) before the Cabinet approved a comprehensive planning report. Concerns were raised regarding potential overestimations of benefits and underestimations of costs, as well as the exclusion of key operators from the planning process.

The statement noted that the NT$300 billion (US$10.2 billion) project moved into the second-stage EIA review after only three public hearings, prompting concerns about insufficient public participation. The project also requires 420 hectares of land for the railway station, significantly more than the 190 hectares specified in the original plan.

In June 2025, the Yilan County government announced a tender for the land, raising questions about whether proper professional planning was followed and if urban development in Yilan was analyzed as per relevant regulations.

The Control Yuan members expressed respect for the professionalism of the EIA review but emphasized the importance of the project’s legality in resolving differing opinions and ensuring smooth implementation.

The preliminary review of the project’s second-stage EIA was approved on July 9. Reviewers expressed concerns over inconsistent travel times reported at various project stages and recommended ongoing communication with stakeholders.