Reconstruction of metro station leads to "clandestine war"

Reconstruction of the pedestrian overpass at Budapest's Kőbánya-Kispest metro and train station will likely be suspended due to continuous protest from locals who oppose the plans for a new shopping center on the location, writes Népszabadság, based on a report by state news wire MTI.

The overpass was closed on Sunday, 13 April, cutting the way between the stations and local stores. Now, the paper writes, a "clandestine war" is going on between store owners and construction workers.

While public transport operator BKV has tried to keep the construction work going by enclosing the area at night and hiring security guards to watch over the area, store owners are fighting back. On Thursday night, they simply chased the workers away. But most of the area between the metro and train station and the stores is still closed.

The National Environmental and Water Supervisory Board (Országos Környezetvédelmi, Természetvédelmi és Vízügyi Felügyelőség) gave permission for the construction work, but the Air Action Group (Levegő Munkacsoport) and other civic groups have taken legal action against the permits.

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