Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

A revised work program for the construction of the segment Pazardzhik – Stamboliyski must be presented within 10 days. This was said by the Caretaker Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Nikolina Angelkova, during today's inspection of the site. According to her, a termination of the contract with the contractor is possible if the resources for the on-time completion of the construction works are not presented. Minister Anglekova examined the works on the new tracks on the Ognyanovo railway station. The contract for the construction of over 54 million lev without VAT (incl. 10% contingencies).

The route is Position 2 of the project for the modernization of the railway line September – Plovdiv, where at that time there is only 6% physical implementation, and the accumulated delay is 4 months. "At this rate I do not see how it will meet the deadline for completion - May 2015", stated Minister Angelkova.

Earlier during the day, Minister Angelkova visited Position 1, covering the course Septemvri - Pazardzhik. She inspected the construction of the new railway bridge near the Kovachevo crossing. About 20% physical implementation was reach along the route and value of the contract is over 62 million lev without VAT (incl. 10% contingencies). "I want to see mobilization, and in early September I will arrange a meeting to see what progress was achieved," said Minister Angelkova to the representatives of the contractors. According to her, increase in costs will not be allowed because all risks need to be considered further by the contractor at the time of the offer.

During the inspection, Minister Nikolina Angelkova examined the works of Position 3 Stamboliyski - Plovdiv and newly situatiated railroad between Stamboliyski – Todor Kableshkov. The physical progress along the route exceeds 27%, the value of the contract is just over 56 million lev without VAT (incl. 10% contingencies). There are already nine kilometers laid new track.

The works on the project for the modernization of the railway line Septemvri - Plovdiv should be completed by 2015, where at the end of expiration is the deadline for eligibility of expenditure under the Operational Programme "Transport". This makes the object at risk in terms of execution time. Thus, inspection of the track was included on the agenda of Minister Nikolina Angelkova in the first days after taking office. Acceleration of the work on infrastructure projects is a top priority for MTITC because it will provide 100% adoption of funds under OPT and will prevent loss of funds.

The reception buildings along Plovdiv - Dimitrovgrad, some of which were upgraded via the pre-accession program ISPA, will be reviewd later during the day.