Durres line of railway, Pristina, necessary project

Kosovo and Albania, at the joint meeting of the two governments, which was held on 2 October in Tirana, have signed a memorandum of co-operation for construction of the Pristina-Durra railway line.

This memorandum concerns the point of the agreement signed in Washington between Kosovo and Serbia, where both sides have agreed that they will devote a feasibility study to the possibilities of connecting Belgrade-Pristina railway infrastructure with a deep sea port in the Adriatic.

Durres Railway- Pristina-Merdare will continue in Nis.

The ministries of the two governments (Kosovo and Albania) have agreed to move quickly in full preparation for the study of feasibility and provision of funds from the US and the budgets of both governments.

Railway line facilitates circulation

Sadullah Avdiu, professor of course “Railways Projection”, at the Faculty of Construction and Architecture, tells Radio Free Europe that investing in railway transport will facilitate the circulation of citizens and goods for both states, but also the connection to countries in the region.

“compared to road transport, railway transport is much cheaper, so Kosovo benefits greatly because it cuts the distance of a lot”, Avdiu said.

Even Haliim Gjergjizi, professor of economic policies at the private college “dania”, says that with the construction of railway lines Kosovo leaves isolation in this area. He considers that in addition to the benefits citizens of Kosovo and Albania will have, the railway line increases interest even to foreign investors.

The railway transport increases the specific importance of the state. Kosovo has been closed for decades in terms of railway infrastructure, already with this line Kosovo becomes an important node in the part of Europe. Road infrastructure is a prerequisite for investment and economic development”, Gjergjiz said.

Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, in Tirana, has said that in recent months they have been working consistently to be a government that is seen as contributing peace and stability in the region.

Under this project, I believe that it will completely change economic programmes in the region and at the widest point”, Hoti said.

But, how this line will be built, how much it will cost, will the old Pristina railway be repaired, or the new line built, taskman that company chief executive head “Infracos” has not been accessible to these answers.

Kosovo has been ready for Durres-Pristina railway line

In addition to the railway line connecting Kosovo and Albania, in 2013 the Rugova Ibrahim highway was completed.

By contrast, authorities in Pristina have consistently confirmed readiness to implement railway and road road projects with countries in the region, such as the Durres line of railway Pristina, Nis, which connects Albania, Kosovo and Serbia.

Regional railway projects were also discussed in the Berlin Process, of which Kosovo is part.

This process was initiated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2014, which includes twelve states, six Western Balkan states that are in different phases of the European Union integration process and six EU member states.

Railway infrastructure in Kosovo currently continues to face a poor situation. Binaris, plant buildings, flares, then railway operations, locomotives, passenger cars are outdated.

Modernizing Railway segments

To improve this infrastructure, rehabilitation of several railway segments has begun last year, such as Pristina's Hanin of Elez bordering Macedonia, which includes the railway at a length of 65km.

Meanwhile, it is being warned that soon the second line, which includes Pristina railway network Leshak, on the border with Serbia.

Currently, in Kosovo regular lines for internal transport through trains, there are in the Pristina delegation, Peja, Hani of Elezi Fushe Kosovo and vice versa.

While, for international transport, Kosovo railways have a regular train, called “fast track”, which circulates once a day at the Pristina delegation, Skopje APU Pristina. / REL