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The JK Railroad Has Just Taken Another Step Toward Its Completion. The ANTT (National Land Transportation Agency) Authorized, on Wednesday (Dec. 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 Capital of the Country, Brasília.
With this decision, Petrocity Ferrovias, the company responsible for the JK Railroad project, can advance with the planning and implementation of the 1,188 kilometers outlined in the engineering blueprint. According to the document published by the agency, the area designated for the railway and the polygons considered of public utility were defined based on prior studies.
What Changes With the Authorization?
The declaration of Public Utility, while an essential step, does not exempt Petrocity Ferrovias from legal obligations, such as obtaining environmental licenses and interacting with competent agencies. Still, the measure is seen as fundamental to expedite the construction schedule of the railway, an ambitious project that strengthens transportation by rail in Brazil.
The JK Railroad project is part of a larger initiative to modernize the railway sector. Since 2021, the Pró-Trilhos program has allowed private companies to request licenses to operate their own railways, without the need for public concession. By August 2024, 24 companies had already been authorized to build 45 railroads throughout the country.
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Concession vs. Authorization
It is important to note that there are significant differences between the concession and authorization models. In the case of concessions, the railways are public but temporarily granted to companies through auctions. In contrast, authorizations, like that of the JK Railroad, 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.
Controversies 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 more legal security and efficiency. The Minister of Transport, Renan Filho, even classified some initiatives as “paper railways.” The Lula government seeks to better regulate the criteria before releasing more similar projects.
The Impact of the “JK Railroad”
When completed, the JK Railroad will have the potential to transform the transportation of goods and people between Espírito Santo and the Federal District. In addition to connecting strategic regions, the railway is seen as an important step toward alleviating highways and promoting a more sustainable logistical model in the country.
With the approval of the ANTT, the future of the railway’s construction begins to take shape, and the promise of a new era for Brazilian railways seems to be closer.
Sim estou amando essa iniciativa, que não é partidária e sim um patrimônio do povo retirado bruscamente sem critério nenhum, afetando diretamente comunidades e cidades ,desbancando o comércio e transporte agora esse governo quer barrar , deveriam pensar um pouco no povo e não no partido pois pra tirar não perguntou a ninguém, pra voltar quer dificulta , ao menos uma vez deixa o povo em paz , claro queremos o trem que tanto amamos.