Sofia Municipality: Once again a state institution is being used for political purposes

Once again we are witnessing how a state institution is being used for political purposes instead of to solve people's problems. This is stated by the press center of the Metropolitan Municipality in a position sent on the occasion of an inquiry by BTA, regarding the announcement of the "Road Infrastructure" Agency. (API) for the Sofia Ring Road and the possibility of introducing vignettes. The municipality believes that in the position of API "three different topics are mixed up, they are presented in a manipulative way and sow confusion and fear among the people of Sofia".

In 2020, with the decision of the Council of Ministers No. 127, the republican road network was removed from the scope for which a vignette sticker must be paid. No vignette is due for the Sofia Ring Road, the Sofia Municipality reminds. And they say that the municipality has concluded an agreement with API "for the maintenance of the republican roads on the territory of the municipality for 2024 and the same agreement is to be signed for next year – 2025 - as it is signed every single year".

"The bridge on “Bulgaria“ and the ring road is owned by API", the position of the Capital Municipality states. From there they inform that they are fulfilling their part of the agreement with API for maintenance of the republican road network on the territory of the municipality. In accordance with this, a survey of the bridge facility on “Bulgaria“ Blvd. was commissioned. and the ring road, also reported by the municipality.

"The survey carried out by a team of engineers from the UASG gives clear recommendations that the facility needs to be overhauled. While API refuses to acknowledge its responsibility for this repair, the Metropolitan Municipality took emergency action. Emergency bracing of the bridge facility is underway. People's safety is a top priority and will not be compromised. Once safety is ensured, traffic will also be released," the position also reads.

"Emergency activities became possible after the chief architect issued a protocol under Art. 195 and Art. 196 of the Territorial Planning Act, which designates the site as an emergency and gives the Capital Municipality the opportunity to start work. When the state is not in place, the Metropolitan Municipality is there to solve the problems", the announcement of the Metropolitan Municipality also notes.

Earlier today, API came out with a position in which they claim that the Municipality of Sofia is delaying the agreement with API for joint maintenance of sections of the republican road network on the territory of the municipality and is already hundreds of thousands of BGN in debt. Therefore, there is a danger that the road administration will be forced to introduce vignettes for crossing the Sofia ring road, the API points out.