According to the Czech Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík, the remediation of the territory infested after the February crash of the benzene train near Hustopečia nad Bečvou will last half a year. Although the measures to prevent further leakage of benzene are operating, the Minister still lasts to continue the state of danger in this area. He said this on Wednesday after the crisis staff meeting, says TASR newsletter in Prague.
“I have a good news that the closure of contaminated soil and waters Larsen’s wall works. But at the same time the reasons for continuing the state of danger,“Hladík said that he would submit a proposal of Hajtman to prolong it by 30 days at Wednesday’s meeting. The state of danger allows for faster remediation of infested soil and water and accelerates other processes.
He also advised that The intensive remediation phase should last six months. “This does not mean that after six months, we could consider the area a definite decontaminated, but the intensive phase should take place the next six months, and then further work that will be needed will be evaluated,” said the head of the Czech environment.
The public authorities will definitely answer the public questions about whether it is possible to hunt fish or garden in the neighborhood by mid -May. “To what the public is asking for (or the possibility of eating vegetables from gardens, using farmers’ crops, etc.), it can already be stated at 99 percent that there is no problem, but it will definitely be answered on the 15th of May.”He added.
The railway line on which the accident happened is still out of operation. According to the Minister of Transport Martin Kupka, it could be restored by mid -June this year if no complications are made. “Given that every day the railway is out of operation, we are trying to renew it as quickly as possible”Said Kupka.
He added that it must first be extracted by the stone base under the rails and about 70 centimeters of the underlying soil, which is contaminated. Subsequently, the new substrate and the top, including the track, should be laid, and then the traction line should be restored.
