SPLIT MOTORWAY SPLIT, Oct 11 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday unanimously made a decision on the construction of a motorway linking Zagreb and Split, and decided to set up a commission in charge of the expeditious building
of the highway.
SPLIT, Oct 11 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday
unanimously made a decision on the construction of a motorway
linking Zagreb and Split, and decided to set up a commission in
charge of the expeditious building of the highway.#L#
Premier Ivica Racan will be at the helm of the commission.
During the session, held in Split, all ministers supported PM
Racan's assessment that the motorway would be built within the next
three years, and its construction should start in June 2002.
The entire project will cost three billion German marks, and the
government can ensure a half of that amount. The rest will be
covered by funds obtained from road construction contributions,
which are to be increased by 0.10 kuna per litre of fuel, or by a
minimum increase in road tolls as well as with money obtained from
the succession to the former Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia (SFRY).
A part of funds to cover the costs of construction works may be
ensured from favourable international loans which Croatia can
obtain thanks to its improved credit rating, Finance Minister Mato
Crkvenac said.
The ministers pointed to the importance of the project linking the
north and south of the country.
The government also unanimously agreed to help reconstruct the
existing Zagreb-Split road. Its reconstruction will be finished by
the mid-2003.
Ministers supported a proposal about the modernisation of two
railway lines, the Unska and Licka railroads, between Zagreb and
Split.
Prior to the session in the villa 'Dalmacija', about 300 war
veterans gathered in front of the villa protesting against the
current government's policy.
About 80 workers of a local company which employs disabled persons
which is like to go into bankruptcy, also held a protest rally in
front of the building.
Commenting on the rallies, prior to the start of the session, PM
Racan said Croatia was a democratic country where everybody had the
right to express their stands and opinions, but nobody had the right
to insult people who came to power after being elected in a
democratic ballot.
(hina) ms