Transport Minister Ľubomír Vážny confirmed on April 7 that Planungs Gesellschaft mbH, a joint venture of the state rail operators of Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia and Austria, agreed earlier this week to commission a German consultancy, Roland Berger, to draw up a feasibility study on the construction of a broad-gauge railway line from Kosice to Bratislava and Vienna.
Before this study is carried out, Vážny would not speculate as to when the broad-gauge railway could carry its first train. According to him, Slovakia lacks resources to pursue the project for the time being. The feasibility study contract was set at €3 million including VAT, with Slovakia contributing €1.49 million, the TASR newswire wrote.
The study, due to be completed by mid-October, will analyse the potential economic returns and the finances required for the project, along with the impact on surrounding infrastructure and the levels of investment involved.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
