Greece Prioritizes Security Upgrades of Transport and Infrastructure

Greek Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras. Photo source: Infrastructure and Transport Ministry.

Greek Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras presented a set of measures aimed at modernizing and enhancing the safety and security of the country’s infrastructure and transport as well as boosting connectivity, during the 27th Annual Economist Government Roundtable held in Athens last week.

A top priority is moving forward with the implementation of key public projects, said Staikouras, key among which the Thessaloniki metro which is scheduled to start operations in 2024, opening a segment of the Ε65 highway to Kalambaka in the first months of next year, and starting construction on the Thessaloniki flyover next month, he said.

Other policies he listed include implementing large irrigation, soil improvement and anti-flooding works and the maintenance of existing infrastructure projects, such as bridges. Staikouras also announced the creation of a new bridge registry.

He went on to add that reforming the Greek railway, despite difficulties arising from the recent natural disasters, was also a main policy. This comes months after the deadly head-on collision between a passenger train and oncoming cargo train in Tempi, Central Greece, which left 57 passengers dead and dozens injured.

The minister also announced projects aimed at further strengthening security at airports and safety in aviation and air navigation, and strengthening the resilience of transport overall. New infrastructure projects, he said, must be climate resilient, consistent with environmental objectives, and ensure continuity in unforeseen situations, whether natural or man-made.

The 27th Annual Economist Government Roundtable in Athens. Photo source: Infrastructure and Transport Ministry.

And lastly, he announced actions that will immediately restore damage to the infrastructure of areas affected by fires and floods. In this direction, the government has moved swiftly to secure the necessary resources.

“We have the strong will to carry out projects at a good pace with quality and efficiency so that in four years’ time, we can substantiate our claim that our country is strengthening its position as a positive example,” he said.