There are concerns that at least 200 homes in Bar may face demolition due to plans for a new freight railway, currently included in the Draft Amendments to the Spatial Plan, which has recently been subject to public debate.

In response, a petition was submitted yesterday to the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and State Property, led by Minister Slaven Radunović, gathering nearly 4,000 signatures from citizens whose residences are situated along the proposed railway route. They are urging the removal of this section from the Draft Amendments to the PUP.

The proposed railway is set to commence from the old overpass in Bar, located in Popovići, briefly following the existing Bar-Podgorica line. It would then diverge towards substation 110, cutting through the central regions of Bjeliše, parts of Ahmetov brijeg, and Podsustaš before continuing toward MZ Bar 5, ultimately reaching the settlement of Zupci.

Currently, this project lacks the backing of the Ministry of Transport, which provided “Vijesti” with a negative assessment of the proposal, while the Ministry of Spatial Planning claims the railway is part of the active Urban Development Plan for Bar.

“The proposed solution involves rerouting the railway through the Željeznica River valley, with a tunnel under Sutorman leading to Podgorica. This has been a long-standing aspect of the Urban Development Plan approved by the Bar Municipal Assembly on December 31, 2018,” stated officials from this department.

“Vijesti” is awaiting responses from Bar’s Municipality, led by President Dušan Raičević, regarding their position on the railway issue and whether local government is backing residents whose homes are set for demolition.

A petition signed by 4,000 citizens.

“A petition with nearly 4,000 signatures opposing part of the Draft Amendments to the Urban Development Plan concerning the railway relocation over homes in several communities has been filed with the relevant ministry,” petition organizers told “Vijesti.”

They noted that they collected 3,959 signatures in just two days, with more arriving daily as interested citizens continued to step forward. The signatures were submitted directly to the registry office and sent to the ministry via email.

A tunnel is planned to be constructed in Zupci, expected to connect to Crmnica. Residents believe this plan could bifurcate local communities and harm the environment.

The railway’s route is poised to demolish at least 200 citizens’ homes along its path, as highlighted by local community member Slavko Vučićević.

“If we do not receive a favorable response, we will escalate our actions. We plan to contact the Ombudsman, file complaints, and may even pursue legal action. We will continue gathering signatures to amplify our pressure,” Vučićević stated.

Emphasis on reconstruction of the existing railway

Citizen representatives were unable to meet with officials at the Ministry of Spatial Planning yesterday, but did meet with Minister of Transport Majom Vukićević, who provided them with support and indicated that her department would issue a negative opinion on the draft amendments regarding railway infrastructure.

Vukićević confirmed to “Vijesti” that her ministry does not support the relocation of the railway but favors reconstructing the current line.

“Relocation has not been under consideration and would incur substantial costs, which are not feasible at this time. Funds have been allocated for the reconstruction of the railway from Bar to Golubovaci through a grant and loan, and we aim to complete this project swiftly,” the Minister emphasized.

The Ministry of Spatial Planning added that the Amendments to Bar’s Urban Development Plan maintain existing solutions and that the idea of relocating the railway has emerged in previous studies.

Concept documented since 2009.

“The Traffic Study of the Municipality of Bar from 2009, conducted by the Yugoslav Institute for Urban Planning and Housing Belgrade, also referenced this. This study preceded the adoption of the 2018 Urban Planning Plan, suggesting the railway corridor be preserved to prevent illegal construction, while existing infrastructure will be utilized until then,” stated the Ministry.

They also mentioned that prior to announcing the public hearing, the draft was reviewed by all relevant authorities, including the Municipality of Bar, and no objections to the proposed relocation surfaced during this period.

“The Railway Administration has already approved the Draft Plan, affirming the inclusion of all essential features from both the current and future railway corridors,” the Ministry noted.

The Ministry will address all comments.

The Ministry of Spatial Planning reiterated that following the public hearing announcement, notifications were sent to all relevant authorities, and once the hearing concluded, all comments and suggestions would be addressed in a report that will be published on the Ministry’s official website once it receives the Review Council’s opinion.

“This report will encompass feedback from both competent institutions and interested stakeholders, and will guide the preparation of a Proposal for a Planning Document,” the Ministry concluded.

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