Džafić: Željeznice workers restored 16 km of track, we are awaiting the FBiH Government's decision on rehabilitation for Komadinovo Vrelo

(Patria) - Enis Džafić, Director of Željeznice FBiH, spoke at today's press conference about the current situation and the reconstruction of the railway line damaged during the devastating floods in early October, and why there was a delay in the reconstruction of the track at Komadinovo Vrelo.

The damages suffered by Željeznice are on a 17 km track section from Ostrožac to Grabovica. Damage to civil engineering facilities amounts to 3,300,000 KM, and to electro-energy facilities 400,000 KM. He thanked all Željeznice workers who worked on the reconstruction.

Director Džafić stated that the segment of track reconstruction at Komadinovo Vrelo, near the M-17 main road, must be addressed integrally, and that the Federal Ministry of Transport and Communications has been informed about this.

At a meeting held with the FBiH Government on October 9th, representatives of Željeznice FBiH, Autoceste FBiH, and Ceste FBiH agreed on the need for an integral solution for both road and railway infrastructure. On October 16th, the Government passed a conclusion for Autoceste FBiH to engage, using already approved credit funds, in the implementation of both railway infrastructure and the main road.

"Autoceste should inform the FBiH Government whether they will continue to resolve this situation or if a separate decision will be made for each entity to handle its part. I believe this was the fastest way for Autoceste to handle it. From October 16th until today, the final information from the Government and the relevant ministry has not been released," said Džafić.

He added that Željeznice has provided alternative transport for businesses, which costs a bit more, not 16 times more as some have claimed.

Džafić stated that legal legislation and the Law on Public Procurement must be respected, given that the FBiH Government has lifted the state of natural disaster.

"The fastest solution is for it to go through Autoceste, and they can engage contractors within 15 days at the latest. A technical solution involving the construction of a bridge will be pursued, while Željeznice FBiH will handle everything else related to the track," said Džafić.

If the Government decides for Željeznice to proceed with the reconstruction, funds will need to be allocated.

"I think it could have been faster. Željeznice electrical workers restored 16 km of track in 10 days. The track was put into operation on October 14th. We provided transport for a funeral by train. If we managed to resolve this in 10 days and secure funds for salary payments, and among all economic entities, Željeznice are losing the most," said Džafić.

Džafić stated that there is an offer from a design company, but that both road and railway structures need to be addressed.

"No one knows if there is a possibility of a new landslide. The entire task has been delegated to Autoceste. We must await the Government's decision and information from Autoceste regarding its segment," said Džafić.

Information has been requested from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Communications regarding what Autoceste has done.

"We want a document from the FBiH Government on what to do. Željeznice must respect the Government's decisions; anything we do contrary to that could lead to someone holding us accountable," said Džafić.