TIRANA, November 13/ATA/ The government is giving the priority to the development of rail transport, significantly increasing the funds dedicated to this sector in the 2026 budget.
According to data presented by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enkela Muçaj to the Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance, 6.4 billion lekë will be invested in rail projects next year, while the budget for this sector will continue to increase into 10 billion lekë in 2027 and 11.1 billion lekë in 2028.
“Rail transport is one of the government’s strategic priorities. The planned investments aim to modernize the existing network, increase safety and bring standards closer to those of the European Union,” Muçaj said during the hearing session.
Muçaj focused on structural reforms and the reorganization of the sector, bringing it up to the standards and according to the best European models.
According to her, the bulk of the 2026 budget funds will be focused on the Tirana-Durrës-Rinas railway line, a 50-kilometer project, which is considered the most advanced model of investment in the Albanian railway infrastructure.
“Currently, there are being added the finishing touches to the electrical system while there is being prepared the first fleet of five electric trains. The technical components of the line are being finalized. The project also includes the railway dispatch center that will guarantee 24-hour monitoring and service, as well as the training of personnel that will operate on this line,” she emphasized.
Muçaj noted that in Tirana there will be built the central railway station, which will serve as a new public transport hub and a national symbol of the revival of this sector. /r.e/p.s./
