Reconstruction works of tram tracks in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), has begun, announced the Ministry of Transport of Canton Sarajevo (CS).

The project was awarded to a consortium of two Chinese firms - China Shandong International Economic & Technical Cooperation Group, and China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, reported Xinhua.

The Chinese firms and the local subcontractors will reconstruct 8.5km of tram tracks from Ilidza to the rail loop Cengic Vila over the next two years.

The firms will also construct the tram depot.

Minister of Transport of CS Adnan Steta was quoted by the news agency as saying that this tram track section has not been renewed for the last six decades.

The total cost of the project stands at $24m, and this amount has been financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Meanwhile, the count of construction permits issued in Bosnia's Federation inched up by 0.5% year-on-year to 221 in July.

According to Bosnia’s Federation, the count of permits issued for residential and non-residential buildings grew 1.2% in July, on an annual comparison basis, while those of civil engineering projects dropped by 2.1%.

In July, out of the permits issued, 149 were for new construction projects, 16 for upgrades and extensions, and the rest for reconstruction and conversion of buildings and spaces.

Bosnia’s Federation is one of two autonomous entities that form Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the other one being the Serb Republic.

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Image: The project was awarded to a consortium of two Chinese firms. Credit: Erich Westendarp from Pixabay