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The Brazilian state is facing its biggest railway collapse. With 800 km of lines destroyed and companies affected, the state needs R$4 billion to restore its railway network and avoid an even greater economic collapse. Workers have been laid off and the future of the railways is uncertain.
O rail system of Rio Grande do Sul, which was once one of the pillars of the state's economic development, is now experiencing its worst crisis in decades.
As catastrophic floods of May 2024 destroyed more than 800 km of tracks, isolating the state from the rest of Brazil and seriously compromising its transport logistics.
The impact is so profound that the estimated cost for reconstruction of railways can surpass the impressive figure of $ 4 billion, according to estimates from the sector and public authorities consulted by the newspaper People's Mail.
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The destruction of railway lines directly affected the transportation of essential goods, such as grains, fuels and chemicals, harming large companies and thousands of workers who depend on this infrastructure to survive.
The situation is so critical that experts warn of a possible regional economic collapse, if a viable solution is not implemented urgently.
Mass destruction: Railway lines rendered useless
According to information from the People's Mail, the torrential rains have seriously damaged the railway network in two of the most strategic stretches of the state: the Canoas-Vacaria branch and Porto Alegre-Uruguayan route, which connects Brazil to Argentina and Paraguay.
Bridges collapsed, tunnels were blocked by landslides and rails were twisted by the force of the waters, interrupting the transport of cargo and isolating entire cities.
The state depends on these railways for the transportation of agricultural commodities such as soy, corn and wheat, in addition to petrochemical products.
Companies like Alberto Pasqualini Refinery (Refap) and Braskem, located in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, were seriously affected.
“About 80% to 85% of Braskem’s logistics transport was done by train before the floods”, reported the People's Mail.
Since then, the company has had to use trucks and ships to keep their operations to a minimum, increasing their logistics costs.
Laid-off workers and families in despair
The destruction of the railway network also brought devastating consequences for workers in the sector.
According to the president of the Rio Grande do Sul Railway Workers Union (Sindifergs), John Calegari, but of 330 workers were laid off, while others 80 employees were reassigned for railways in other states, such as Paraná and Santa Catarina.
“We are concerned not only about the lack of transportation in RS, but also about the situation of families who depend on this system,” declared Calegari to People's Mail.
A lack of jobs and the end of temporary contracts increased the food insecurity and social vulnerability in the most affected regions.
Many railway workers said there was no forecast for rehiring, as the recovery works could take more than a year, according to preliminary estimates from National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).
Companies put pressure on government and dealership
the dealership Logistics course, responsible for the operation of railways in Rio Grande do Sul, stated to People's Mail who maintains constant contact with public authorities to find a definitive solution.
However, the company's concession contract is close to maturity, planned for 2027, which creates a stalemate over who will be responsible for the billion-dollar investment in recovering the railway infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Transport, the negotiations are progressing slowly due to the complexity of the project and the need for significant resources.
The company claims that the damage exceeds the amount expected for regular maintenance and that cannot bear the costs alone.
Railway infrastructure abandoned for decades
Even before the floods, the The Rio Grande do Sul railway system was already facing serious structural problems.
According to People's Mail, over the last few decades, the active rail network in the state was reduced from 3.150 km to just 1.650 km, mainly due to the lack of investments and inefficient management by the concessionary companies.
Many sections have been disabled for being considered economically unviable, while others were abandoned after decades without maintenance.
corroded bridges, rusty rails e disused railway stations are portraits of a glorious past that seems increasingly distant.
Study warns of future risks
Um report published by the Ministry of Transport in 2023 already warned of the increased frequency of natural disasters that could compromise the transport infrastructure in Brazil, especially the railways located in risk areasLike Porto Alegre-Uruguaiana Railway.
The study, carried out in partnership with the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), revealed that 60% of Brazilian railway lines are vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as floods and landslides.
The report recommended the modernization of railway structures and implementation of public policies to prevent disasters, but little progress has been made so far.
With the Rio Grande do Sul railway system in ruins and its regional economy compromised, Will the state be able to reconnect to the rest of Brazil?
The challenge is immense, but time is running out for economic recovery. People's Mail will continue to monitor the developments of this historic crisis.
