Construction of Intermodal Terminal in Batajnica Begins (VIDEO)
Belgrade is getting an intermodal terminal that will boost development of a modern combined transport of goods by increasing participation of railway and creating a partnership relationship with the road transport. This way railway becomes more competitive on the market, while following all future trends in transport through the use of modern technologies.
Ceremonial laying of the corner stone has marked the beginning of works on construction of the intermodal terminal in Batajnica, and also the official launch of the connectivity campaign. This event was attended by the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic and Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Ambassador Sam Fabrizi.
This terminal will increase current capacities of the combined transport in Serbia 8 times, it is located in Batajnica industrial zone, and the total investment amounts to 15.5 million EUR, of which the EU finances 90% of these works through a grant, while the remaining amount is funded by the Republic of Serbia.
– The year of 2020 will be remembered by the COVID pandemic, but at the same time by our additional efforts to provide substantial support to the economy. Connecting markets for a faster and safer circulation of people and goods, implementation of investments and service provision, and improvement of economy – this is the key element the EU is founded on. In 2015, EU allocated one billion euros for the connectivity agenda so as to help accelerate construction of modern transport and energy connections between Western Balkans and EU. I am happy to see that five years later Serbia is one of the biggest recipients of EU connectivity funds for the region, with over 200 million euros in grants for six investment projects. Construction of this intermodal terminal in Batajnica is one of these projects – Ambassador Sem Fabrizi said.
The new terminal will connect the infrastructure of road and railway transport and facilitate the use of railway as an environmentally acceptable means of transport. By improving transport connectivity we practically improve social and economic standards of the citizens, Fabrizi concluded.
Today’s event also marks the launch of a connectivity campaign, which is carried out by the European Union in Serbia in cooperation with the Ministry of European Integration.
This project has an impact not only on transport but also on air quality, ie the quality of the environment in Belgrade, because it contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to reducing the presence of heavy transport vehicles on our streets, said Minister for European Integration and National IPA Coordinator Jadranka Joksimović.
Combined transport should contribute to achieving the following: a reliable, predictable, faster and cheaper transport services; further liberalisation of the railway market; development of the infrastructure for intermodality, with capacities for interoperability; improved perception of the transport policy and focus on good quality data.
The intermodal terminal project includes works, supervision of construction, procurement of equipment and technical assistance to the terminal operator. The works include construction of access roads and railroads, warehouse and manoeuvring area and an administrative facility with a parking lot for freight vehicles.
Source: The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia
