Instead of addressing numerous serious defects—some threatening passenger safety—the government removed the Acting Director of Railway Infrastructure, Vladimir Maksimović, who had informed the line ministry and contractors about these problems. Some of these issues were also confirmed by the official supervising company, Utiber.
Despite clear warnings from experts, including an April report by Utiber detailing multiple irregularities on the Novi Sad to Subotica high-speed rail line, the government insists on opening the railway by July. The report highlights significant issues such as erosion of railway slopes, risking the stability of the track bed, and poor-quality work by Chinese contractors CCCC and CRIC. Experts say the railway is unsafe for traffic, and claims that trains could run at 200 km/h on this line are unrealistic.
Following the fall of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that caused 16 deaths, instead of thoroughly fixing the problems, the government dismissed Maksimović on May 22 and appointed his deputy, Zoran Jevtić, as the new acting director. Sources suggest Maksimović’s dismissal relates to his awareness of the critical reports and his warnings about the railway’s safety, which the government wanted to keep from public view.
Maksimović had sent detailed reports to the ministry, contractors, and supervisory bodies, warning that urgent repairs were necessary to avoid endangering passengers’ lives. Rather than addressing these serious issues, the government chose to remove him, hoping this would quell criticism.
President Aleksandar Vučić has repeatedly announced the railway will open in early July despite these unresolved safety concerns. No officials, including the new acting director Jevtić, have publicly responded to the safety warnings raised just weeks ago. Vučić continues to promote the project as a major achievement, even as questions about infrastructure quality remain unresolved and the usability of the Novi Sad station is uncertain.
