The first quarterly report of his work Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportwhich is based on 12 bundles of policies, was presented today by Minister Christos Staikouras during a press conference.

In detail, the 12 bundles of policies, which Mr. Staikouras cited, concern:

1st Bundle of Policies: The implementation of public projects.

Hundreds of small and large projects are underway across the territory, aimed at modern infrastructure and safe transport.

Among them and the big, emblematic works.

METRO Thessaloniki will be operational in 2024.

An important section of the E-65, up to Kalambaka, will be delivered in the first months of 2024.

The Patra-Pyrgos highway is progressing, at a completion rate of 25% of the project to date.

The Aktio-Ambrakia road connection will be delivered, in its entirety, this year.

The construction of the Eastern Inner Ring Road of Thessaloniki (Flyover) starts next month.

The road axis Ioannina-Kakkavia was re-auctioned.

The method of re-auctioning part of the Lamia-Karpenissi road axis is being considered.

The Bralos-‘Amfissa road axis and the Chalkida bypass start to be constructed in the coming weeks, with preliminary work being implemented on some technical projects.

2nd Bundle of Policies: The implementation of large irrigation, land improvement and anti-flooding projects, because the others belong to the regions.

Today, studies are underway, amounting to 28.9 million euros, for 11 major flood protection projects.

Another 10, totaling 344 million euros, are being implemented in the Regions of Attica, Central Macedonia and Peloponnese.

Also 4 projects, amounting to 197 million euros, are under assignment.

Also under assignment are 2 PPP projects, amounting to 497 million euros.

In addition to the above, there are 49 large irrigation projects that come under the responsibility of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, with a budget of 642 million euros, and which are in different stages of maturity.

3rd Bundle of Policies: The control and maintenance of existing infrastructure projects.

For example, bridges are an important part of our country’s structural wealth.

Within the week, we will probably proceed with issuing a Ministerial Decision for the approval of the Bridge Inspection and Maintenance Regulation, as well as for the establishment of the Bridge Administrative Authority.

In this way, the obligations of the bodies operating and maintaining the bridges are determined and the exact methodology for recording and monitoring the condition and maintenance of all bridges in the country, with a length greater than 6 meters, is determined.

At the same time, the National Register of Bridges has been prepared which, with the assistance of the Ministry of Digital Governance, will be presented on an appropriate online platform.

Through this digital application, the state and actions for the maintenance and operation of the bridges will be fully recorded and recorded by the relevant operation and maintenance bodies, as well as the systematic monitoring by the Bridges Administrative Authority of the implementation of the Regulation.

4th Bundle of Policies: Strengthening electric mobility.

The percentage of electric and hybrid vehicle registrations now stands at 10%, up from 0.4% in 2019.

Already, 2,629 citizen applications have been approved for inclusion in the “Moving Electric 2” Program, by the competent services of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which is now responsible for promoting electric mobility in our country.

Whereas, so far 19,000 applications have been submitted for the second cycle, and 11,175 of them have been approved.

It is estimated that another 5,000 applications will be processed by the end of October.

In fact, almost 3 out of 4 applications concern two-wheelers, three-wheelers, small cars and bicycles, an element that reflects the shift of the market towards micro-mobility.

Also, in 2019 there were 58 charging points.

Today, their number exceeds 4,000, with the goal of developing 25,000 charging points by 2030.

5th Policy Package: The renewal of the bus fleet.

The overall plan envisages the supply of 1,300 buses with anti-pollution technology by the end of the four-year period.

The renewal of the existing aging fleet is already being implemented, with the supply of 650 new zero-emission vehicles, electric and natural gas, in Athens and Thessaloniki.

The first 250 buses are expected to be released at the end of April 2024.

Also, approximately 20 days ago, the procedures for the second phase of the procurement tender for an additional 650 buses with anti-pollution technology were launched.

The relevant tender is expected to start within the first half of 2024.

6th Policy Bundle: The reform of the Greek railway.

We are working in this direction, despite the new difficulties that have recently arisen.

We signed a contractual agreement with the OSE, which foresees a significant increase in annual funding from 45 million euros to 75 million euros, in order for the Organization to implement the required interventions for the better operation of the trains, setting, at the same time, a supervisory framework, accountability and measurable results on the part of the OSE.

We also set up and set up, at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, a Committee made up of stakeholders, to support the modernization of the railway sector in our country.

Finally, the signaling and remote control of the network was completed, according to the schedule, but unfortunately the need for re-installation arose in areas affected by Daniel.

7th Policy Package: The further strengthening of airport, aviation and air navigation security.

In this direction, the new Code of Conduct of the APA and the National Civil Aviation Safety Regulation are being promoted, the staffing of the CAA and the CAA has been strengthened, a Safety Management System Manager and Accountable Directors have been appointed per thematic area in the CAA, human resource gaps are covered through mobile staff in regional airports under the responsibility of the CAA, the establishment of the NPDD for the CAA is underway, resources of the Recovery and Resilience Fund – amounting to 107 million euros, are being used to upgrade airport infrastructure.

8th Bundle of Policies: The creation of metropolitan agencies, responsible for traffic, in Attica and Thessaloniki.

The aim is the effective coordination of the co-competent bodies and the rational use of resources to solve issues that contribute to traffic congestion.

The preliminary study for Attica has already been completed, and the corresponding one for Thessaloniki is underway.

The next step is the detailed design of the body’s responsibilities and the drafting of a law for its establishment.

Let me remind you that especially for Thessaloniki, the establishment of such an organization was a proposal of the Association of Greek Transport Experts, since 2008!

9th Bundle of Policies: The strengthening of existing and the creation of new bus lines by KTEL, under the coordination of the Thessaloniki Transport Project Organization (OSETH).

At the same time, the Ministry requested the issuance of a decree by the Ministers of the Interior and of the National Economy and Finances, for the approval of the recruitment of 150 drivers to the OASTH, private law for a certain period.

Approval is in final stage.

These recruitments will improve the provided transport project, in view of the construction of the flyover, which requires a better development of services to serve the residents of the wider area of ​​Thessaloniki.

10th Policy Bundle: The strengthening of BIM models, which ensure the integrated digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of an infrastructure.

The first pillar is the “Development of a Strategic Plan and Roadmap for the Implementation of BIM in Greece”.

This emblematic project was an initiative of the Ministry, in collaboration with DG REFORM, and was financed by the European Union, through the Structural Reforms Support Program.

The Ministry continues in this direction, as a second funding of 550,000 euros was approved by DG REFORM for the implementation of a second project, entitled “Implementation of the BIM Roadmap in Greece, including pilot projects”.

At the same time, in the near future, it is expected that the National Strategic Plan and the Road Map for the Implementation of BIM in Greece will be put up for consultation.

It is a structured plan that describes the basic steps, the time horizon and the required resources for the implementation of the proposed interventions.

11th Policy Package: Strengthening transport resilience, inextricably linked to infrastructure.

We should ensure that new infrastructure projects are climate resilient, consistent with environmental goals, and ensure continuity in unforeseen situations, due to natural or man-made disasters.

These are – after all – provisions that are incorporated in the revised regulation for the development of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), where the railway occupies a dominant position.

We act in the direction of Greece’s participation in the new railway freight corridors, such as the one connecting the “Baltic Sea – Black Sea – Aegean Sea”, we promote the project of developing the railway connection “Thessaloniki – Kavala – Alexandroupoli – Burgas – Varna – Rousse”, and we participate in the discussions on the participation of our country in the alternative routes of Ukrainian grain exports, with the formation of a solidarity lane that will connect Ukraine with our country through Bulgaria and Romania, and will make full use of the potential of the ports of Northern Greece.

In fact, we promoted, through a letter to the Transport Commissioner and the fellow Transport Ministers of Bulgaria and Romania, the idea of ​​running a train, in the context of the European solidarity lanes.

With this planning, an important opportunity arises to overcome obstacles and delays that come from the past, to give alternative options to the commercial relations of the states, while strengthening transport connections and international freight transport.

12th Policy Package: The immediate restoration of damage to the infrastructure of the affected areas, with higher resilience projects.

It takes resources and time.

On both issues, there have been immediate government initiatives.

In terms of resources, the revision of the National Resilience and Recovery Plan will include €600 million worth of infrastructure projects.

Of these, more than 185 million euros will be required for the restructuring of the railway network.

We have already proceeded to issue a call for funding to submit a proposal to the Ministry with the aim of restoring the downhill railway line on the Athens-Thessaloniki axis, in order for the OSE to finance projects amounting to 14 million euros.

We await the issuance of pre-approval from the Directorate of Public Investments of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, for inclusion in the national branch of the Public Investment Program.

In terms of time, by Law Decree the Ministry is assigned the planning and immediate execution of urgent restoration projects in the affected areas that do not currently belong to the Ministry’s competence.

There have already been the first relevant decisions of the Council of Ministers, following a proposal by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.

These are some of the political initiatives we have already undertaken at the beginning of the new administration.

We have the strong will to run all of the above at a good pace, with quality and efficiency, so that in four years, we can substantiate our claim that our country strengthens its position as a positive example, as a “player” of positive commemoration.