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The Ministry of Interior admitted to the violations of "Danube Bridge"

The scandal erupted in the first days of the new year 2025

Jan 28, 2025 16:48 58

In a written response to MP Ivaylo Mirchev from the PP-DB, the Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov confirmed that the private parking lot of "Danube Bridge" near Ruse continued to function after Bulgaria entered Schengen on January 1, 2025.

According to the document sent to parliament, the practice was discontinued only on January 4, 2025, after strong media coverage and numerous signals on social networks.

"As of January 4, 2025, the specified traffic organization has been abolished", says the official response of Minister Mitov.

The scandal erupted in the first days of the new year 2025, when representatives of the transport industry raised the alarm that in order to pass through the "Danube Bridge" it is mandatory to obtain a number from a private parking lot, regardless of whether there is a queue at the facility. The carriers also indicated different tariffs for Bulgarian and foreign trucks.

The Mayor of Ruse Pencho Milkov initially denied the existence of a problem, stating: "A truck is not stopped and is not made to pay a fee to get a number plate. Getting a number plate is free. If there is no queue, there is no need to stop. There is no problem".

The second stage of the major repair of the bridge facility began on January 8, 2025, which further complicated traffic in the area. Trucks are passing in stages in both directions through the only free lane.

Minister Mitov specifies in his written response that the Ministry of Interior has no authority over the functioning of the buffer parking lot and the organization of its activities. He points out that this is within the competence of the "Road Infrastructure" Agency and the Ruse Municipality.