Railway line being repaired by Turkish company, while main roads around Jablanica - by no one!

(Patria) - In addition to damage to residential buildings, Jablanica suffered significant infrastructure damage on October 4th. While the railway line is being repaired by a Turkish company, the main roads M17 and M17-5 are being neglected!

There are promises that this repair will also begin in due course, but no deadlines have been specified. Because of this, several villages are completely cut off from Jablanica, and local businessmen are also suffering damages.

Residents of the villages of Doljani, Sovići, Kosna Luka, and Risovac have been completely cut off from Jablanica since this road was completely destroyed in the devastating floods in October last year.

And since then, this part of the road has only been covered with an embankment and is closed for use. However, locals say they use it because they have no alternative.

- Our children need to go to school now. The road is closed, and no one wants to take responsibility for driving the children to school. We are completely cut off - says the president of the local community Doljani, Dževad Kukić.

- We have terrible problems because of the children, the workers... We have no communication at all. We are all using this forbidden road at our own risk; there have been accidents. The police cannot come out and conduct a proper investigation - adds the deputy president of the local community Doljani, Berislav Soldo.

Because, they say, they are now using the road at their own risk - therefore, they have sent an urgent appeal to the FBiH Government to start repairs as soon as possible. The Municipality of Jablanica points out that this is the responsibility of Ceste FBiH (Roads of FBiH).

- We held a meeting with JP Ceste FBiH where the road to Posušje was also discussed. The design of that section is in progress, and the estimated value of the project, i.e., the road repair, would be around 14 million KM - stated the Mayor of Jablanica, Emir Muratović (SDA).

JP Ceste FBiH told **Federalna televizija** in response to their inquiry that they currently do not have the necessary funds for the repair of this road, and that the reconstruction of the road will depend on finances. However, the main road M17 is also marked with tape in several places around Jablanica due to collapses.

- The most important thing is that traffic can flow, and the actual, detailed repairs, of which there are many further down the road - those will be done in due course - says the Minister of Transport and Communications of BiH, Edin Forto (NS).

- Tenders for contractors have been issued, after which the final reconstruction can begin - states the Minister of Transport and Communications of FBiH, Adrijana Katić (HDZ BiH).

No one wants to talk about deadlines, and repairs have not even begun. In the meantime, citizens and businessmen are suffering the most. A large number of restaurants in Jablanica are located along this main road, and they say this is significantly affecting their business success.

- The lack of traffic is felt; fewer vehicles are passing through this section than ever before. Opposite the restaurant, there is a ruin the size of four meters, located 10 meters from the restaurant. Vehicles that stop here - everyone looks at that, no one looks at the restaurant anymore - says the director of a restaurant in Jablanica, Mesud Prnjavorac.

This will significantly impact the economy of BiH, according to the interviewees, given that many participants are suffering due to the slow reaction of the authorities in repairing the terrain after the floods.

No one dares to talk about repair deadlines, and in the meantime, Jablanica appears increasingly forgotten and abandoned.