The European Union invests in the modernization of railways as trains are among the vehicles that pollute the least, said European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean. Being in Chisinau on a visit, the official said the Republic of Moldova, being situated at the intersection of the EU and the Eastern area, should invest in the mechanism for adjusting the rolling stock to different gauges, while the absence of railway electrification in Moldova is a problem that can be solved with the assistance of the foreign partners, IPN reports.
Commissioner Adina Vălean noted the Republic of Moldova should put forward concrete projects to modernize the railroads as now the EU invests a lot in this means of transportation.
“For the modernization of railways, there is great openness of the part of the European Union and great financing potential as this is considered one of the least polluting means of transportation. At the same time, the Republic of Moldova should think about electrification as the railways here are not electrified and this aspect should form part of the project,” Adina Vălean stated in the talk show “Expertise Hour” on JurnalTV channel.
According to the official, technical solutions should be identified for the Republic of Moldova so that connection is ensured with Ukraine and with Romania, respectively, the EU in the railway sector.
“In the European Union, we now have railways of three different gauges, but this does not prevent us from coopering and the states make investments for adjustment. There are two possibilities – you either work on the railway track and make it double or you resort to methods for adjusting the rolling stock to different gauges. There are innovatory and technical solutions. As the Republic of Moldova is interested in ensuring circulation in the corridor and to Ukraine, the adjustment of the rolling stock is a solution,” stated Adina Vălean.
The total length of the railroads administered by Moldova’s Railways is 1,232 km, of which 1,218 km are Soviet gauge tracks and only 14 km are European gauge tracks. The first segment of European gauge tracks was put into operation in 2013 and ensures connection between the Giurgiulești International Port and Romania.
