Illegal crossings and a severe lack of safety barriers on Kosovo’s railway lines are posing a major risk to public safety, according to citizens and traffic experts. While a project to install new barriers is underway, only one out of 25 planned barriers has been completed.
A History of Fatal Accidents
The human cost of this safety issue is significant. Ramiz Shala, a resident of the village of Qyshk, told RTK-Radio that three people from his village have died at a single unprotected crossing. Other citizens expressed similar concerns, with one noting that “every year, at least one or two deaths occur.” Many residents said they feel unsafe because there are no barriers, traffic lights, or even a visible train schedule.
Infrakos Acknowledges the Problem and Outlines a Solution
The railway management company, Infrakos, confirmed the existence of numerous illegal crossings, particularly on the Pristina-Fushë Kosovë line. The company stated that a €6 million project, partially funded by the Government of Kosovo and the World Bank, aims to install 25 new barriers. Half of the project’s funding is a grant, and the other half is a soft loan.
Infrakos noted that the project is a major step towards modernizing the railway system and improving safety, but acknowledged that they are still working to secure additional funds to expand the project to all critical crossings across the country.
