Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Through its increasing scope of work in modernizing and reconstructing the railway network, the Railway Infrastructure Company of Montenegro (ZICG)is facing numerous challenges such as limited financial resources, the need to modernize outdated systems, and a lack of qualified personnel in specialized areas.

Deputy Executive Director for Investments and Foreign Investments Dragan Radevic said in an interview with Mina-business agency that one of the key problems was the age of the existing railway network, built decades ago according to standards that significantly differed from current European Union (EU) norms.

He pointed out that infrastructural facilities, such as tunnels and bridges, were particularly challenging, as reconstruction work was extremely demanding in order to meet modern standards.

“The current cross-sections of tunnels and other limitations often make it difficult to comply with the requirements set by standards, such as the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). These adaptations involve extensive infrastructure works and significant technical solutions to meet the new conditions,” Radevic explained.

He cited the Sozina tunnel, the longest one on the Belgrade–Bar railway line, as an example, which is included in the reconstruction plan for the Golubovci–Bar section.