LOWER HOUSE DISCUSSES STRATEGY OF TRAFFIC DEVELOPMENT

ZAGREB, March 4 (Hina) - The strategy of Croatia's traffic development should be discussed in the first reading, and the second reading should take place in June at the latest. The priority issue should be connecting the Croatian north and south and the reconstruction of the existing Zagreb - Split road, most Croatian House of Representatives MPs agreed. The ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) bench representatives accepted the strategy in its first reading, while opposition MPs either categorically opposed the strategy or criticised it. The Sabor's committees for maritime affairs, transport and communications, the economy, development and reconstruction, held that absolute priority should be given to the reconstruction and modernisation of the existing Zagreb-Split highway, including the construction of a third track and necessary detours. The modernisation of the road is the ultimate priority is also a priority for the HDZ bench, on behalf of which Nikola Obuljen asked that the Government suggests within a month what and when can be done on the road. MPs also criticised come concessions. Besides road traffic, criticisms were also directed towards other means of transport. Railway traffic is the traffic of the future, and party benches opposed the abolishment of some railway tracks, as they are mostly in underdeveloped or war-torn areas. MPs held that more attention should be paid to maritime traffic, connections between islands and the reconstruction of river ports, especially in the Croatian Danube River region, as this would stimulate economic development. MPs also warned of insufficient equipment in airports, such as the Zagreb airport, which does not have heavy fog landing equipment. MPs wished to know the veracity of statements about the possibility of the sale of the national air transport Croatia Airlines to a foreign investor. (hina) lml mm