High Speed Rail Belgrade to Nis

On 15 December 2024 members of the Citizen Group of Jagodina, submitted a request to IPAM concerning the High Speed Rail Belgrade to Nis Project (OP ID 53136) in Serbia, after intensive engagement with the EBRD, the Client and local authorities. Requesters are raising concerns regarding the rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing railway going through Jagodina. They are particularly concerned about the closure of the current level crossing in the center of Jagodina, as in their view this would increase traffic congestion, air, and noise pollution. They further claim public safety risks due to potential release of hazardous substances in case of accidents. They also claim that the Client has not addressed the concerns they raised during public consultations. 

During the Compliance Assessment, IPAM was informed of a material change in the Project. On 26 March 2026, the Serbian authorities decided to relocate the railway alignment outside the urban area of Jagodina, and that decision was subsequently confirmed to IPAM by both Bank Management and Client. As the Request was directed at the impacts associated with the initial alignment through the city, IPAM concluded that the specific harms alleged by the Requesters were no longer expected to materialise under the Project as currently envisaged. In light of these anticipated modifications, the issues raised in the Request no longer appear to apply to the Project configurationnow under consideration.

Accordingly, although IPAM’s preliminary findings indicate that Case 2025/01 would otherwise have met the criteria to proceed to a Compliance Review in relation to the initial alignment, IPAM concludes that the Case does not meet the requirements for initiating a Compliance Review in respect of the Project as currently envisaged. The Case was thus closed on 17 June 2026.