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After almost 40 years of delays, scandals and billions invested, the North-South Railway becomes a reality, promising to revolutionize cargo transportation in Brazil. But was this long wait really worth it?
For decades, the promise of a The railway connection that would unite the North and South regions of Brazil remained only on paper, fueling the distrust of millions of Brazilians.
The project, which was supposed to boost the national economy and reduce dependence on highways, ended up becoming synonymous with scandals and corruption.
Now, after a wait that spanned generations, the North-South Railway is finally in operation. But what does this really mean for the country?
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In the second half of 2024, the North-South Railway, with its 2,2 km extension, was completed and made its first complete trip, transporting cargo that passed through the tracks that connect the ports of Itaqui (MA) and Santos (SP).
This achievement marks an important chapter in the history of Brazilian logistics, as the railway, which cost more than R$11 billion, is expected to move around 22,7 million tons of cargo by 2055., according to projections from the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).
An ambitious and problematic project
Construction of the North-South Railway began in 1987, managed by Valec, a public company linked to the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Initially planned to connect Açailândia (MA) to Anápolis (GO), the project was expanded to extend to Estrela D'Oeste (SP). Over the years, the progress of the work was marked by scandals and million-dollar embezzlement, as pointed out by the Federal Public Ministry (MPF).
According to the MPF, during construction, Misappropriation of public funds amounting to R$630 million was identified in the state of Goiás alone, between 2006 and 2011, during Juquinha das Neves' management at Valec.
Juquinha was convicted of money laundering, but his defense stated that the sentence was overturned and he was acquitted in several cases. These episodes of corruption further delayed the completion of the project., increasing its costs and increasing the population's distrust.
A new era for Brazilian logistics
With the completion of the Goiás section, the North-South Railway now connects four regions of the country, passing through five states, which represents a significant achievement for national infrastructure.
The National Secretary of Railway Transport, Leonardo Ribeiro, highlighted that 90% of the work was built with public resources, but there were concessions and sub-concessions that allowed the completion of the railway.
In the northern section, the operation is the responsibility of VLI, while the company Rumo manages the central and southern sections. Ribeiro highlighted that, despite the high costs, the work was essential to promote the integration of Brazil and boost regional development.
The Federal Government expects the railway to not only favor the export of agricultural production, but also stimulate the economic development of cities near the railway line, while reducing environmental impact and improving highway safety.
First trip and the impacts on transportation
The first official trip of the railway was a symbolic milestone for the country. In an interview with the g1 portal, the driver Wodson Baltazar Silva, who was not even born when the works began, had the honor of driving the first train along the completed railway.
The trip, carried out on a commission basis, transported 112 containers with agricultural pesticides, cotton and automotive parts, from Cubatão (SP) to Anápolis (GO).
City dwellers along the railway, like Santa Helena de Goiás, celebrated the inauguration, impressed by the passage of the wagons, which had been long awaited. For Elvia Antunes, a resident of Santa Helena, also in an interview with the aforementioned portal, the arrival of the railway is a “wonder” for the city, which now has new prospects for growth.
Challenges and promises for the future of the railway
Although the inauguration of the North-South Railway represents a step forward, Many challenges still lie ahead. Railway management, efficient cargo transportation and maintenance will be essential for the expected benefits to materialize.
According to Daniel Salcedo, commercial director of Brado, a logistics company that operates on the stretch, Railways have the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and offer a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to road transport.
Over the next five years, the railway's operation is expected to reduce CO160 emissions by up to 2 tons, which is essential in a scenario where companies are looking for more sustainable solutions. This is one of the main arguments for the success of the project, which, despite the difficulties, promises to transform logistics in Brazil.
But, after decades of waiting and billions invested, will the North-South Railway fulfill all its promises and finally deliver the logistical efficiency Brazil has dreamed of?
Simply Brazil
Take a trail next door. Following grains and brown sugar. What prevents 20% of the population from owning a car in a country?
Take northeasterners and bring northerners alongside, this way the cost is lower.
As always, corruption is delaying projects that are useful to the country.
Logistical efficiency or effectiveness? Clarifying: efficiency in terms of means; effectiveness in terms of results.
The North-South railway is not finished, part of Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Santa Catarina is missing.
The name north-south should be relative to the direction, because it neither leaves the North Region nor reaches the South Region of Brazil. It could be called northeast-southeast.