Niš Residents Protest Railway Bypass, Demand Street Remain Open

From Niš, Serbia, N1 reports on the continued public outcry against the proposed railway bypass project. Citizens are mobilizing, not against the railway itself, but against a plan that would effectively sever a historic and vital thoroughfare: Borska Street.

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We have nothing against the railway being built, but Borska Street must not be closed. It has existed for 500 years and it is an artery of this area.

Residents, like Vladan Stojiljković, emphasize that Borska Street is not merely a road but an 'artery' that has served the community for centuries. Their demand is clear: either an overpass or an underground section of the bypass to ensure the street remains accessible. The current proposal, which would replace the street with a pedestrian overpass, is seen as a drastic and unacceptable measure.

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All road traffic, including bus lines, would be rerouted to other streets in this area, which is impossible to realize. These streets are too narrow and it is an impossible mission for cars and buses to pass through them.

Goran Dimitrijević further elaborated on the impracticality of rerouting traffic to already narrow side streets, which he described as an 'impossible mission.' He stressed that while expropriation is underway, alternative solutions like tunneling the railway should be explored by experts to preserve the community's connectivity.

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We are presented with a fait accompli. It was necessary for the project to be made available for public inspection so that people could submit objections. Nobody asked us anything. They all lied to us, telling us not to worry, that the railway would be six meters underground which we wouldn't even see or hear.

The sentiment among the protestors is one of being disregarded. Jugoslav Dikić voiced the frustration of 15,000 residents who feel presented with a 'fait accompli' and accuse authorities of deception regarding the bypass's design. The call for public input, which seems to have been lacking, is a central grievance. Lawyer Dragana Milutinović noted the upcoming public hearing, offering a glimmer of hope for dialogue, while also pushing back against the local government's attempts to politicize the residents' legitimate concerns.

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We will try to see with the urban planners then to arrive at the most adequate solution for our area.