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The JK Railway has just taken another step towards its completion. The ANTT (National Land Transportation Agency) authorized, this Wednesday (December 4, 2024), the expropriation of properties necessary for the construction of the railway, which promises to connect Barra de São Francisco, in Espírito Santo, to the country's capital, Brasília.
With this decision, Petrocity Ferrovias, the company responsible for the JK Railway project, can move forward with the planning and implementation of the 1.188 kilometers planned in the preliminary engineering project. According to the document published by the agency, the area designated for the railway and the polygons considered to be of public utility were defined based on previous studies.
What changes with authorization?
The declaration of Public Utility, despite being an essential step, does not exempt Petrocity Ferrovias from legal obligations, such as obtaining environmental licenses and interacting with competent bodies. Even so, the measure is seen as essential to speed up the construction schedule of the railway, an ambitious project that reinforces transportation railway in Brazil.
The JK Railway project is part of a larger initiative to modernize the railway sector. Since 2021, the Pró-Trilhos program has allowed private companies to apply for licenses to operate their own railways, without the need for a public concession. By August 2024, 24 companies had already been authorized to build 45 railways across the country.
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Concession x Authorization
It is worth remembering that there are important differences between the concession and authorization models. In the case of concessions, the railways are public, but temporarily transferred to companies through auctions. Authorizations, such as that of the JK Railway, allow the railway to be private, with licenses that can last up to 99 years, without the need for an auction or right of way.
Polemics and challenges
Despite the progress, the project faces challenges. The current administration believes that the Pró-Trilhos program, launched during the Bolsonaro era, needs adjustments. to ensure greater security legal and efficiency. The Minister of Transport, Renan Filho, even classified some initiatives as “paper railways”. The Lula government is seeking to better regulate the criteria before releasing more similar projects.
The impact of the “JK Railway”
When completed, the JK Railway will have the potential to transform the transportation of cargo and people between Espírito Santo and the Federal District. In addition to connecting strategic regions, the railway is seen as an important step towards relieving highway congestion and promoting a more sustainable logistics model in the country.
With ANTT's approval, the future of railway construction is beginning to take shape, and the promise of a new era for Brazilian rails seems to be closer.
Yes, I am loving this initiative, which is not partisan and rather a heritage of the people taken away abruptly without any criteria, directly affecting communities and cities, displacing commerce and transport. Now this government wants to block it. They should think a little about the people and not the party, because they didn't ask anyone to take it away, and they want to make it difficult to bring it back. At least once, leave the people in peace. Of course we want the train that we love so much.