The Belgrade Centar train station (Prokop) is facing serious structural issues due to cracks in load-bearing beams and columns. According to civil engineer Edin Drljo, currently working in Austria, cracks have appeared in the lower zones of platform beams, caused by insufficient reinforcement compared to original project specifications. This was confirmed by the IMS Institute after structural testing.
Temporary cosmetic repairs raise concerns
Drljo posted photos on social media showing that cracks are being covered with plaster or glue—essentially hiding them from passengers instead of solving the root issue. He stated that the station should be “immediately closed” for safety reasons, especially since residential buildings have been constructed directly above compromised columns.
Authorities plan reinforcement, but work already underway
Tender documents reveal that authorities plan to add new support columns under the platform beams to reduce structural load. The method includes pressing steel “mega piles” into the ground using hydraulic equipment, followed by the construction of new steel columns and reinforced concrete footings. However, while the official tender is still open (closing August 14), Drljo witnessed works already underway, raising questions about who is carrying them out and under what authority.
Warnings from engineers: Design flaws and load miscalculations
Experts like Drljo and civil engineer Danijel Dašić warn that the entire static design of the station may be flawed, especially given the additional load from newly constructed buildings. Dašić emphasized that the level of damage to the foundation may be beyond repair and noted that Serbia might not have specialists capable of executing such a complex structural rehabilitation.
Lack of transparency and oversight
Despite the seriousness of the situation, key stakeholders—including the CIP Institute and Railway Infrastructure of Serbia—have remained silent. Engineers are now calling for the station’s static calculations to be made public for independent professional review, citing urgent safety concerns for both passengers and residents above the station.
