Minister Rossen Jeliazkov has presented projects on digital and transport connectivity amounting to approximately BGN 1,8 billion

The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Rossen Jeliazkov has presented projects on digital and transport connectivity amounting to BGN 1,8 billion. The presentation has been performed during the online discussion on the Third Pillar of the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria, which the Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev has organized. The Director General of National Railway Infrastructure Company, Krasimir Papukchiyski, the Rector of “Todor Kableshkov” University of Transport, Prof. Daniela Todorova PhD, the Managing Director and Chairperson of the Bulgarian Cable and Communication Operators Galya Marinova etc. participated in the event.

During the discussion, the Minister Jeliazkov has outlined the goals and objectives for the Transport and Information Technology Sectors. „We have set synergy between the projects in digital and transport connectivity, which will clearly and explicitly enhance the reforms in the sector. This is one of the main issues – not only the projects realization, but also their coherence“, advised the Minister.

The Minister Jeliazkov said that the activities on the digital connectivity are split in five axes. The first one is ensuring a high-speed mobile connectivity on key transport corridors of the Trans-European Network – the Trakia, Hemus, Struma motorways, as well as the connections with Romania and Turkey. The other axes are the Internet coverage improvement in the less populated and rural areas, the development of the state support network, the use of the green technologies and the stimulation of consumption. The total planned funding for digital connectivity is BGN 805 million, with implementation period until 2025, clarified the Minister.

Rossen Jeliazkov reminded that for 2 years the general focus of the digital transformation has been related to reforms and stimulation of more purposeful investments with a high level of efficiency and effectiveness. He said that the adoption of the Law on Electronic Communication Networks and Physical Infrastructure, the amendments to the Territory Planning Act, and the decrease with up to 50 percent of the fees for the use of radio-frequency spectrum, represent a huge enhancement for the deployment of high-speed mobile networks.

With reference to the transport connectivity, the Minister indicated that the main goal is the decrease of the carbon footprint through investments in the modernization and digitalization of the railway transport sector. „We envisage modernization of the systems for safety and energy efficiency on a number of railway sections, including Sofia-Mezdra, Mezdra-Gorna Oryahovitsa, Kaspichan-Syndel, Karnobat-Syndel“, said Minister Jeliazkov. He added the total planned funding for these activities is BGN 267 million. Another key project is the construction of Intermodal Terminal in Gorna Oryahovitsa, and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 8-railway station complexes (Mezdra, Cherven Bryag, Vratsa, Levski, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Varna and Filipovo) amounting to BGN 188 million. Minister Jeliazkov said that Gorna Oryahovitsa is the biggest junction in Northern Bulgaria, which concentrates the traffic on directions East-West and North-South. He advised that within the frameworks of other operational programmes is being also reviewed the construction of a terminal in the capital area, which concentrates too different transport modes.

Minister Rossen Jeliazkov has also presented a project for modernization of traction substations and construction of a system for tele management and tele signaling, with a total funding of BGN 273 million. „The implementation of these activities will have a direct impact on the safety and quality of railway services in Northern Bulgaria. The region, where are located most of the sites, within the scope of the project“, explained Jeliazkov. He stated that the purposeful investments in Northern Bulgaria and their binding with the already realized projects would support the overcome of the imbalance in the transport networks.

According to Rossen Jeliazkov another crucial priority is the elimination of difficulties in the rolling stock. „We have set in the Plan the purchase of 20 new trains, which to service these sections“, explained Minister Jeliazkov.