Mr. Vladimír Kollár, Director General of VODOHOSPODÁRSKA VÝSTAVBA, ŠTÁTNY PODNIK (VV, š. p.), welcomed a delegation of the Czech and Slovak Transport Ministries yesterday at the Gabčíkovo Waterworks. Representatives of both resorts were interested in work progress in the modernization project of Update of Gabčíkovo Locks and the operation during their visit. The meeting was held within a framework of discussions of the joint committee of the Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic.
Mr. Vladimír Kollár, Director General of VV, š. p., tackled environmental issues regarding water works during the meeting. He stressed that the ecology and the water industry must go hand in hand.
„Surroundings of the Gabčíkovo Waterworks, namely the left arm system of the Danube, are a huge natural resource. It is a singular location of riparian forests, wetlands and rare fauna and flora. As I discussed with the Environment Minister, we will care for the sufficient water supply for this unique land to provide the Danube arms with bigger water supply more times a year,“ said Mr. Kollár.
At the operation of parts of the Waterworks Gabčíkovo, any water manipulation must comply with the Temporary Operational Rules which must be updated each 5 years at least. Based on the current petition of environmental activists and requirements of the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic, and particularly in the interest of VV, š.p., there was appointed a task force made up of employees of VV, š.p. which will prepare an updated Temporary Operational Rules draft with all necessary amendments. The Temporary Operational Rules ensure achievement of all purposes of the Gabčíkovo Waterworks including safety rules and rules for international navigation taking into consideration environmental issues and hydroenergetic utilization.
Within the project of Upgrade of Gabčíkovo Locks, representatives of both Transport Ministries were also interested in the currently running building works. The current works focus on the right lock being upgraded as the first lock. Currently, welders finish the setup of the steel gate on the lower provisional backup block. The left wing is almost completed, and assemblers carry out final works on the right wing. Floating bollards undergo upgrade as well. They are used for mooring the vessel when entering the lock. Works on underlay stabilisation also continue.
“It´s important to carry out all works on time and, at the same time, to deliver the highest level of quality and safety. Finished works are subject to a multilevel inspection. I am confident that we will made a good progress in the project”, said Mr. Vladimír Kollár.
Main actions undertaken within the project of “Upgrade of Gabčíkovo Lock” aiming at increasing safety and intensity of waterway transport on the Gabčíkovo Waterworks include upgrade of upper and lower gates, innovation of the system of filling and emptying of the locks, underlay stabilisation and establishment of experts inspection system. The project is co-financed by the EU Fonds. Grant from the “Connecting Europe Facility” was approved in 2016 providing 85 % of the costs. Compulsory co-financing by the beneficiary, VV, š. p., is 15 %. The grant itself amounts to almost 123 million EUR excluding VAT.
