Shortly before the first reading of the Infrastructure Future Act in the German Bundestag, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) is demanding further measures to accelerate infrastructure projects. DIHK’s chief executive, Helena Melnikov, told the “Rheinische Post” (Monday edition) that merely being a little faster on individual projects is not sufficient. “The modernization of all transport modes must be classified as overriding public interest” she said.
She added that endless expert review cycles should be brought to an end with clear deadline regulations, and that replacement new constructions should consistently be exempt from approval and inspection requirements.
Under the bill, major transport infrastructure projects-including those funded from the €500 billion special fund-will be shifted into the category of overriding public interest. Environmental concerns will also be treated as subordinate in the approval process, a change that has recently drawn strong criticism from the Scientific Advisory Council on Environmental Matters.
