The issue of the junction in Panasos is in the Parliament again – “Government commitments are in vain”, says Haris Mamoulakis

The head of the Infrastructure & Transport department K.O. speaks of “inconsistency of the government’s commitments for the Panasos junction”. SYRIZA Progressive Alliance, Member of Parliament of Heraklion Haris Mamoulakis, submitting a relevant question to the Minister of Infrastructure & Transport.

“Panasos is the only community along the entire route of N.E.O. Heraklion – Agioi Deka which is not served by a junction. The village is in a peculiar hostage situation, since if the junction were to operate, its distance from the urban centers of Heraklion and Moira would be much shorter and the route safer,” says Haris Mamoulakis in his statement, stressing: “What is the reason for the delay and non-compliance with government commitments regarding the tendering of the project? Has the study stage been completed? What specific studies have been omitted? Have the tender documents been drawn up? When will they be published? What is the total estimated budget of the project and how will it be financed? Has its funding been secured? What is the tendering schedule for the project? When do you expect the construction phase to be completed and the project delivered? The Minister must apologize to the local community.”

The question refers to the history of the axis connecting Heraklion – Moira and the contribution of the SYRIZA government to its construction, while it is emphasized that the lack of the junction drives the traffic of all vehicles – including heavy vehicles – through other villages (Gergeri – Nivryto ), from the old Panas – Agia Varvara road network, with what this entails in terms of danger, landslides, etc. It is also recalled that in the discussion of September 26, 2022 in the Parliament, the then Deputy Minister of Infrastructure & Transport committed that within the next 4 within 6 months, the rainwater runoff, flood protection studies, as well as the supporting studies would have been completed and the tender for the contract worth 20 to 25 million euros would be held.

The following is the relevant question to the Parliament of the SYRIZA Department of Infrastructure and Member of Parliament for Heraklion Haris Mamoulakis:

“QUESTION

To the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport

Topic: “The commitments of the N.D. for the construction of the Panasos interchange in the Heraklion borough”

The construction project of the vertical road axis of Heraklion – Mesaras is undoubtedly a breath-taking project that changes the transport map of the P.E. Heraklion. It is the most important vertical axis of Crete, which connects the port, the airport and the hospitals of Heraklion with one of the largest agricultural production areas in Greece, which is also one of the most popular tourist destinations.

The completion of the vertical road axis of P.E. Heraklion accelerated decisively during the term of the SYRIZA government which in May 2019 handed over the N.E.O Heraklion-Agioi Deka. Since then, there has been stagnation with the Panasos node as a typical example. The project in question is considered particularly important as Panasos is the only community along the NE Heraklion-Agioi Deka route that is not served by a junction with the village being in a hostage situation since if the junction was operating its distance from the urban centers (Heraklion, Moires etc.) would be shorter and the route safer. In addition, vehicle traffic from other villages (Gergeri-Nivryto), especially heavy vehicles, is currently carried out by the old Panasos-Agias Varvaras road network, with all that this implies in terms of danger, landslides, narrowness, etc., while with the completion of the node would be served by it. Finally, the operation of the provincial road Ag. Varvaras-Panasou is very often threatened, due to various problems, with long-term closures and traffic interruptions, burdening the daily life of the residents.

During the September 26, 2022 discussion with A.P. 406/18-10-2021 question the then Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport committed to the completion within four to six months of the studies with the object of rainwater runoff, the anti-flood protection of the wider area of ​​the Panassos settlement, the supporting studies and then the tendering of the contracting. The budget of the contract was estimated by the Deputy Minister to be between €20 and €25 million. However, almost five years have passed since the ND assumed a governmental role and despite all the theoretical commitments of the materially competent officials, the stagnation cannot be disputed.

Given the above, the importance of informing the residents of the wider area about the reasons for delays and non-compliance with the commitments of the N.D. and in conjunction with the prioritization that must be given to the completion of the Panas Junction project, the responsible Minister is asked:

1. What is the reason for the delay and non-compliance with government commitments regarding the tendering of the project?

2. Has the study stage been completed? What specific studies have been omitted?

3. Have the tender documents been drawn up?

4. When will the tender documents be published?

5. What is the total estimated budget of the project and how will it be financed?

6. Has the financing of the project been secured?

7. What is the tendering schedule of the project?

8. When do you expect the construction stage to be completed and the project to be delivered?’