Think Railways

The modernisation works on Pazardzhik – Stamboliyski railway section, estimated at BGN 54 million (EUR 27.6 million euro) are four months behind schedule. A revised work program  must be presented within 10 days, stated the Interim Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Nikolina Angelkova, during an inspection of the site. Only 6% the modernisation works has been completed, instead of 30% as planned. 

Lot 2: “Modernization of Pazardzhik-Stamboliyski railway” section is part of the project “Modernization of Plovdiv-Septemvri” railway sector which is realized with resources from OP Transport 2007-2013.  Works are being carried by a IGA rail Iinfrastructure Consortium Varna, formed of Spanish holding GEA 21 S.A, the Spanish Construcciones Arranz Acinas and the Bulgarian company Ingstroyengineering. 

“Next week we will hold a meeting with representatives of the contractor in the three sections Stamboliyski – Plovdiv, Pazardzhik – Stamboliyski and Septemvri – Pazardzhik, to make sure that the risk of loss of funds and the completion of the project by the end of 2015 is minimal. If we do not receive such assurances we will discuss measures to halt contracts of the construction companies. We do not have time to wait until these builders will mobilize and will complete the activities. For us it is important to prevent any loss of funds under the Transport Operational Programme. Termination of contracts of firms could lead to suspension of the works and therefore we will assess the risk of such a step,” the interim minster declared.

The minister also inspected Lot 1 Septemvri – Pazardzhik (20% of the modernisation works have been completed; contractor: Swietelsky Branch BG; contract value:  over BGN 62 million) and Lot 3 Stamboliyski – Plovdiv railway section (over 27% of the modernisation works have been completed; contractor: PORR Bau; contract value – over BGN 56 million).