Reconstruction of the Odontotos Railway in Kalavryta kicks off

The study, which will be funded by the Region of Western Greece under a programmatic agreement to be concluded, will serve as the basis for designing and prioritizing the necessary works, as well as for establishing the conditions for the safe resumption of operations.

Current Condition of the Line and Causes of the Problems

The Diakopto–Kalavryta line passes through the Vouraikos Gorge, an area of intense geological activity, where rockfalls and debris flows are regularly recorded.

The 2023 wildfires further exacerbated soil instability. The issues are concentrated mainly in specific sections of the route, where repeated incidents have been observed recently, including debris inflows and landslides along the gorge’s slopes.

Operational Preparedness

Prior to the decision to suspend the line’s operation, a series of measures were undertaken to manage risks and maintain operational readiness.

These included regular cleaning of the track and engineering structures, the preparation of specialized geotechnical and geological studies, and the installation of monitoring systems at key points along the route.

Meteorological and seismological stations recorded real-time data, while communication along the line was improved through upgraded radio networks and satellite systems to cover difficult-to-access areas.

These interventions strengthened the operational status of the line, without, however, eliminating the risk arising from the natural evolution of events in the surrounding environment.

Planned Interventions

The implementation of technical works on the railway infrastructure, the advancement of interventions in the broader natural environment, and the acceleration of necessary studies and permitting processes constitute the main pillars of the agreed plan.

These include:

• Completion of a geotechnical risk assessment using modern mapping methods, categorization of line sections by hazard level, and implementation of necessary interventions at critical points.
• Development of a continuous monitoring system using sensors and real-time data recording, combined with defined operational thresholds that trigger specific protocols—from speed restrictions to temporary suspension of services where required.
• Resumption of operations will be gradual, beginning with a pilot phase and ongoing evaluation of conditions before the full reinstatement of services.