The project to repair the Valga-Võru-Koidula railway line, build a loading platform there for the activities of the defense forces and timber companies and reopen the railway to passenger traffic failed because the project did not receive the necessary support.
The Ministry of Climate, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense and Estonian Railways, has asked for European funds to repair the 88 kilometer long Valga-Võru-Koidula railway line and build the Sõmerpallu loading platform.
The railway, last repaired in the early 1980s, has fallen behind the times, which is why speed limits exist. Passenger trains stopped there in 2001, and now the line is rarely used by wooden trains.
From a local point of view, the repaired line should boost the region’s economy. Since the project worth almost 70 million euros was not selected in the tough competition, it will not be repaired for the time being.
“Eesti Raudtee certainly does not have the means to make the kind of investments planned for this project and to restore passenger train traffic there. Our responsibility is to keep the railway in order, ensure the established speed and safety. We certainly do not I plan to make further investments there,” said Riho Vyatkin, head of the construction service at Eesti Raudtee.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the railway is needed to transport equipment of both the allies and the Estonian Defense Forces, so they have no intention of abandoning the project, as it serves several important purposes.
“It certainly supports the achievement of the country’s climate goals, develops rail freight transport, also creates an opportunity for passenger transport in the relevant region, also supports the regional economy and also supports the activities of the defense forces in the region. We will certainly continue the collaboration with the Ministry of Climate and the Estonian Railways in the search for funding from the European Union. At the same time, it is certainly worth carrying forward the preparatory work of the project to be ready for a possible next funding request”, said Miiko Peris, head of the innovation department at the Ministry of Defense.
2024-01-29 19:24:00
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