The regional councilor Davide Tavernisegroup leader of the 5 Star Movement in Calabria, denounced the delays in the electrification works of the Sibari-Crotone railway section, a key infrastructure for the region. In a question to the President of the Council, Roberto Occhiuto, Tavernise expressed strong concern for the inconveniences resulting from the failure to accelerate the works, despite the suspension of railway traffic from 16 September 2024 to 19 January 2025, which should have facilitated the completion of the interventions .
“It is incomprehensible – declares Tavernise – that, nDespite the suspension of traffic between Sibari and Crotone due to infrastructure interventions linked to the activation of the ERTMS (European Rail Transport Management System), the electrification of the line is still blocked. Calabria has been waiting for this work for years, which is fundamental for improving regional mobility and reducing pollution. The commissioning of the works should have resolved the problems of slowness, but bureaucracy and inefficiencies continue to weigh on the project,” says Tavernise.
“The electrification of the Sibari-Crotone route – he adds – would bring significant benefits: a more interconnected regional railway network, the use of cutting-edge electric trains and a substantial reduction in harmful emissions. This project is crucial not only to guarantee sustainable mobility for citizens but also to relaunch the Calabrian economy and tourism.”
The regional councilor specifies that “the electrification works of the Ionian railway, one of the few routes still not electrified despite its strategic position, began in 2018 with the laying of the poles for electric traction. After various delays, the Ministry of Infrastructure commissioned the work. In April 2024, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) awarded the contract for 37.5 million euros to the consortium GCF Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie SpA and Fadep Srl, of which a part covered by the funds of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR ). The Final Project of the Lamezia Terme-Catanzaro Lido-Dorsale Jonica section was approved with a total investment of 438.19 million euros, of which 128.99 million financed by the PNRR”.
“The works on the Sibari-Crotone – continues Tavernise – include the electrification of approximately 112 km and the construction of 8 medium voltage electrical substations, in addition to the installation of the railway traction system. However, the procedural blocks linked to bureaucratic delays and indecision on the location of the substations continue to slow down the work, nullifying the progress made.”
“Calabria can no longer afford to suffer delays on such a fundamental and strategic work for its development – concludes Tavernise -. We ask that the Region intervene decisively to overcome the obstacles and finally ensure Calabrian citizens the benefits of this long-awaited infrastructure.”
