The Turkish construction company Cengiz will rebuild the railway line in northern Herzegovina that was severely damaged in floods and a rockfall in early October, which caused loss of life and significant material damage.

Cengiz, which is already engaged in the construction of several sections of a motorway in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has promised to rebuild the railway line for free, Nermin Niksic, premier of the country's Federation entity, confirmed on Facebook.

“I expect the work to be completed in less time than we have waited for it to begin,” he said.

Discussions on who should rebuild the railway line have been going on for a full 50 days.

Niksic said that the delay in the reconstruction of the railway line was the result of political obstruction, different interpretations of the law, and fear of responsibility on the part of the former management of the Federation's railway company.

After the management of the Zeljeznice Federacije BiH company was dismissed last week, the entity's government assumed responsibility for the reconstruction work.

The damage to the railway line near Jablanica caused significant economic losses to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the southern Croatian Adriatic port of Ploce, affecting the industrial sector and logistics supply chains.

Several chemical and heavy industry companies have announced the possibility of shutting down production due to the disruption of rail transport.