Environmental organizations have blocked a flood control project in Attica due to Attikopsaro, for which they have even appealed to the European Union, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Nikos Tachiaos, told SKAI.

In Attica there are flood prevention projects that are running, Mr. Tachiaos emphasized, and among them are included those that are being done in Erasinos, which drains Mesogeia and are very important after the construction of the airport.

However, the intervention has stopped there because the granting of loans by the European Investment Bank has been “frozen” because there were complaints that, among others, Attikopsaro is at risk, for which a special ecological study is needed, as explained by Mr. Tachiaos.

Appeals have also been made to the Council of State on the issue by environmental organizations. In fact, the specific complaints have also reached the European Union.

Mr. Tachiaos emphasized, at the same time, that there is an environmental impact study that addresses all the issues, however the activism on the issue is hindering the progress of the projects.

“We have to make decisions that to some extent will alter what we consider as a given natural landscape, but will benefit the residents mainly for their safety” noted the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure.

Asked about this, Mr. Tachiaos emphasized that although the delay of the project is not considered “dangerous”, however, issues arise as “when you have a contractor and you have delays, demands are created that must be met”.