The official report titled Report on the Degree of Compliance of Planned and Implemented Activities by the Infrastructure of Railways of Serbia for January 1 to September 30, 2024, was adopted just one day before a canopy collapse at the Novi Sad Railway Station killed 16 people, according to Nova.rs.
- On page 6, the report states:
“The deadline for the completion of the works in accordance with the instructions of the Presidency has been shortened to December 31, 2024.” - On page 10, it mentions:
“The second phase of the reconstruction of the Novi Sad Railway Station, part of the high-speed railway construction between Novi Sad and Subotica, was completed on July 5, 2024, when the new station lobby and passenger facilities were opened.”
Vladimir Obradović, a member of the Survey Commission and professor at FON, emphasized that this report is official and was submitted to the Government. He noted that the report confirms the project was carried out under instructions from the Presidency, which lacks legal authority, implying that the Infrastructure acted illegally by following those instructions and shortening deadlines.
Obradović expressed surprise that the Prosecutor’s Office has not yet investigated this matter or questioned key individuals such as Zorana Mihajlović (former minister) and Ivica Kojić (from the Presidency).
Further, the inquiry commission revealed that Zorana Mihajlović, through her team, asked the head of Aleksandar Vučić’s cabinet to agree to a price reduction for the reconstruction and modernization project of the Novi Sad – Subotica – state border railway section, suggesting deeper government involvement in the project.
