„I believe that we have reached a level of maturity within CFR SA and we understand what a strategy means and what its implementation means”, Marius Chiper, General Manager of CFR SA said, on attending the Railway PRO Investment Summit , organised in Bucharest between October 3-4, by Club Feroviar and Railway PRO, with the support of the Romanian Railway Industry Association (AIF).
„Until now, CFR SA has modernised 400 km of rail lines on Pan-European Rail Corridor IV. We have another 180 kilometers in execution on Simeria – Sighisoara section, where the works are completed at a rate of 75%.
We have signed execution contracts for another 141 kilometers, on Radna – Gurasada – Simeria section of Pan-European Rail Corridor IV. We have also launched the tender procedure for a section of 120 km on Brasov – Sighisoara rail route and we will launch other tender procedures as soon as possible.
We continued the procedure of completing the works on the northern branch of Corridor IV, we also requested funding from CEF (Connecting Europe Facility). We are preparing projects for the southern branch of Corridor IV, on Craiova – Calafat section.
We also signed the contract for the feasibility study for the construction of a new rail bridge at Gradistea, as well as for the rehabilitation of the Bucharest – Giurgiu line, where Gradistea rail bridge is located.
We have started the procedure for Cluj- Episcopia Bihor rail electrification project and we have signed the updating of the feasibility study in this respect”, Marius Chiper added.
“All these projects make us believe that we are on a positive trend”, the General Manager of the Romanian Rail Infrastructure Manager (CFR SA) said.
“The need for investment with regard to transport development exceeds the available financial resources and this situation will not change over the next 15-20 years. We have to promote those projects that have a high degree of economic return, otherwise we will continue to invest meaninglessly, Marius Chiper mentioned.
How do we prioritize and substantiate our investments?
“The General Transport Master Plan was developed and approved during 2014 – 2016 timeline. Is this document sufficient to establish and promote investments in rail infrastructure? “, CFR SA’s general manager points out.
I will make a remark in this respect! One of the main recommendations of this document is to reduce the Romanian rail network by 40%. Is this a credible recommendation? Can it be implemented? If we implement it, we will have a viable railway infrastructure? Do we still need a second opinion on this subject?
“Simple statements or statements are not enough. Only good intentions promoted within legal documents do not automatically ensure the desired success” concluded Marius Chiper in his intervention, asking for support from both the Romanian State and the European Commission for the further development of the railway network development projects.
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