Barič Gets New Shopping Center, But It's Unusable

For years, the people of Barič have been promised a new shopping center, a symbol of progress and a much-needed amenity for their community. They watched as the foundations were laid, the construction progressed, and finally, the building stood complete. Yet, their anticipation has turned to frustration as the center remains a hollow shell, its doors locked, its potential unrealized. This is not just an inconvenience; it's a stark illustration of broken promises and a failure of local governance.

“

Now it is April 2026. As far as we know, the facility does not have an operating permit, therefore it has no electricity connection and has not passed a safety assessment.

The ceremonial opening, complete with cultural performances, feels like a cruel mockery to residents who cannot even access basic services like a bank or shops within the new facility. The current administration, represented by the current president of Obrenovac, Miloš Peković, inaugurated the building in October last year, but it seems functionality was an afterthought. The lack of an operating permit and essential utilities like electricity means the building is essentially useless, a monument to inefficiency.

“

The facility looks nice visually, which we lacked, but it's a shame it's empty because Barič needed it. If this was done according to the project, and it clearly was, and if there was supervision, where is the problem, what is missing – that's what we'd like to know.

Adding to the community's woes is the ongoing saga of the sewage system. While the shopping center stands empty, the streets remain dug up, and residents are still waiting for basic infrastructure. The funds allocated for this project, initially 160 million dinars, could have been better utilized to address these pressing needs. The lack of transparency from the municipality regarding the shopping center's status and the sewage project's delays only deepens the distrust. This situation highlights a disconnect between the administration's public relations efforts and the tangible needs of the citizens of Barič.

“

The money could certainly have been used better because the sewage works in Barič have really not brought anything good, we are not even connected, we are not even close to being connected.