Those gathered were carrying placards and had prepared a stand where people could familiarize themselves with information about the project rates, planned stations and railways.
The residents of the Panevėžys region who came to the capital are angry that “Lietuvos geležinkeliai” and the Government have drawn up flawed project development plans, which will require the demolition of the houses of the residents of the Panevėžys district and the purchase of private land. However, those gathered are most angry because they found out about Rail Baltica’s plans related to their homes after the decisions were made.
“The Constitution is invalid – this state is degrading because it does not protect people and their property. There is a clear provision in the constitution – to protect property and take it only if it is necessary”, said one of the picket participants, Tomas Rutkauskas from Panevėžys.
“That’s why we picket – not because of a good life. There must be discussion and consultation with the residents,” he said.
Criticizing the alternatives prepared by “Lietuvos geležinkelių” regarding the Panevėžys district connection, T. Rutkauskas assured that the municipality is developing another plan for this part of the project – according to him, it is both cheaper and does not require so much demolition work.
The picketers are also worried about the cost of the Rail Baltica project.
“The project costs 2.7 billion. Our group says that that project will at least double in price, because the analogous part in Latvia has doubled in price,” T. Rutkauskas taught.
The activist emphasizes that, in principle, the strategic project of “Rail Baltica” is significant, but the resident of Panevėžys raises the question of whether such decisions should be made at the expense of the residents.
He asks the president to speak
Although the picketers criticize Lithuanian Railways the most, they place the most hope in the president, who, according to the activists, could speak out about the problems of the Rail Baltica project.
“The president is responsible for Lithuania’s overall strategy and economic situation. He must communicate and cooperate with the Government and ask in time – why is the project delayed? Why does the Seimas, which must control the Government, not do this? Why didn’t you ask the Minister of Transport why the project is delayed?” – questions that, in the activists’ opinion, should be raised by the president, T. Rutkauskas mentioned.
“We invite the president to take the initiative. Now is a favorable time – presidential elections. It’s a great opportunity for other candidates to join and show how they will solve that problem,” added the picket participant.
Director of Rail Baltica Lithuania: We are looking for solutions that would have the least impact
Representatives of “Lietuvos Geležinkėlių” also came to the picket held on Tuesday to talk with the protesters. One of them – Rail Baltica Lithuania director Arenijus Jackus told journalists that the fears of the residents of the Panevėžys region are understandable.
“I think anger is an emotion that we can neither criticize nor evaluate in any way. We can talk about solutions that are close to their home or on top of their home. Without a doubt, those people’s emotions are valid. However, there are hired specialists who are looking for solutions, who have presented several alternatives”, said A. Jackus.
“They are looking for solutions that have the least negative impact and the basis for people’s anxiety and anger,” he assured.
According to him, concrete solutions will be presented in June.
“The community will be able to evaluate them again, submit their suggestions. We have heard that they have proposals – they will all be evaluated. And if it turns out that there are some magical, different, better alternatives – of course, they will be taken into account”, assured A. Jackus.
According to him, when looking for solutions to the situation, the situation regarding the purchase of land is also being evaluated – the goal is to keep the number of demolished houses as low as possible.
At that time, when asked about the cost of the project, the director of Rail Baltica Lithuania admitted that it would grow, but could not answer by how much.
“During the first days and months after the start of the war in Ukraine, we saw that metal prices sometimes changed, and all transportation chains collapsed. If we calculate then, the cost of that project would be huge. However, the situation is gradually improving, other ways are available, prices are falling little by little – today is not the day when it would be possible to say a fairly reliable number that will materialize after that,” explained the representative of “Lietuvos Geležinkelių”.
“It depends very much on the geopolitical situation we live in,” he added.
“Rail Baltica” is the largest railway infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic States, during the implementation of which an electrified European-gauge double-track railway line will be built along the entire “Rail Baltica” railway route, running from Warsaw through Kaunas and Riga to Tallinn. The total length of the “Rail Baltica” railway line in the Baltic countries reaches 870 km: in Lithuania – 392 km, in Latvia – 265 km, in Estonia – 213 km.
Tags: Daukanta Square picket Rail Baltica residents angry demolition houses
