Albanian and Kosovar railways urgently need investment for green transition despite EU funding promises facing delays.
🔗 Read the article on paparaci.com
[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]
Railway revitalization in Albania and Kosovo remains an unfulfilled dream, with existing rail infrastructure being relics from the past, particularly for citizens in Librazhd and Elbasan who have used trains since 1947. Both countries urgently need investment in their railway infrastructure to transition towards a green economy, as the current network is largely post-World War II construction, lacking international connections and suffering from technical degradation. A significant loan of €36.9 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is welcomed for vitalizing this infrastructure, which would improve accessibility, reduce pollution, and aid integration into the European Union, though the project faces challenges related to electrification and degraded infrastructure. Experts note that the lack of a functional rail network hinders agricultural, cultural, social, and industrial progress in Albania. While some officials suggest imminent railway construction due to recent government attention, official timelines are constantly being pushed back; for instance, the Tirana-Rinas-Durrës project, initially promised for 2025, is still pending as of early 2026. Despite ambitious plans and studies, concrete investments remain slow, with experts criticizing political leadership for prioritizing short-term gains over necessary long-term infrastructure development. The modernization process requires electrification, which remains a major hurdle, but proponents argue that investment would bring environmental benefits and better regional market connections. Current realities show outdated equipment and neglected stations, contrasting sharply with past optimistic government promises regarding the timeline for rail improvements.
