The Minister of Transportation, María Fernanda Rojasparticipated this Thursday in the International Forum for Railway Reactivationcarried out in Bogotá, where he talked about the plan of the government of President Gustavo Petro to revive the Colombian iron system.
“After decades of abandonment, the railroad rises as a priority of the government government. The train is not just transport: it is equity, connectivity and sustainability”Said Minister Rojas.
During his speech, the head of the transport portfolio presented the most representative advances of this initiative, including the award of the La Dorada Corredor – Chiriguaná As a private public alliance (app), which already doubled the mobilized load in just one year, with an investment of more than $ 4.6 billion.
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María Fernanda Rojas, Minister of Transportation
Ministry of Transportation
The sections are also highlighted Bogotá – Belencitowith record figures in charge and tourist trains; Chiriguaná – Santa Martawhere it seeks to diversify the load and enable passengers; and the La Sabana Trainwith more than 514,000 per year, consolidated as a model of heritage mobility.
Other strategic projects
Minister Rojas also presented the road map of the new national iron system, with megaprojects such as:
– Caribbean Interoceanic Corridor – Pacific (Chocó)which reaches 80% prefeasibility and an estimated investment of $ 54.6 billion.
– Andes Corridor – Orinoquíawhich will connect the plains with the main ports of the country, with a projected investment of $ 19 billion.
– Bogotá – Central Networkwhich will be integrated into the large productive corridors of the country, with an investment of $ 59.7 billion.
(Besides: Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro reaches 57.6% progress with almost 6 km of viaduct).
Train
Istock
Likewise, regional projects such as the Café Train, Tren del Caribe, Tren del Huila, Green Train and Catatumbo Trainwhich seek to articulate the iron system with regional and multimodal vocation.
Long -term formation
To guarantee the sustainability of the iron system, the government advances in the creation of the National rail agencywhich will supervise the development of the railway mode. This initiative has the accompaniment of the United Kingdom through Crossrail International and UK PACT.
(You may be interested: Why did Bogotá agree to postpone turns for the subway? Mayor Galán explains it).
In addition, the beginning of the first specialization in rail engineering in the Colombian Pedagogical and Technological University (UPTC)as part of the effort to form the talent that this transformation requires.
“Without talent there is no train. We need hands, minds and heart to lead this new rail chapter. The train returned to stay“The minister said.
La Dorada Train – Chiriguaná
ANI
Possible benefits of reactivation
Iñaki Barrón de Angoiti, consultant, advisor and founder of Ignacio Barron Innovative Businessa multinational company dedicated to the planning and formation of rail initiatives, spoke with Portfolio about the opportunities that would open the rebirth of the national iron system.
“The case of Colombia is interesting, since the railroad that exists, which remains of the railway that was once operational, can be usable, but it can also be improved. It depends on the rail policy that the country implements, that the work is finally improved, it is ruled out or starts from zero“He said.
However, he noted that “It is important to consider that railways are not short -term projects. Railroad life cycles are much longer than political cycles and what is needed is that Colombian society, through its leaders, whoever is, assume that commitment to revitalize rail services“
Portfolio
