In compliance with these aspects together with the necessity of connecting regions and countries in the area through faster ways, Serbia and Hungary came with the idea of a joint project in order to connect Belgrade to Budapest through a high-speed railway.

The works do not start from nothing. The project aims to reconstruct and modernize the existing railway line Belgrade-Subotica-state border (Serbian part) by adding a new track, where necessary, in order to get double track railway line for speed up to 200 km/h. Similar project is undergoing on the Hungarian side.

This railway is also a part of Corridor 10 and a part of SEETO Core Network (TEN-T). Section Stara Pazova-Novi Sad is the most demanding section where a tunnel (2 tubes) is being constructed in length of 1,2 km each tube, and parallel construction of a 3 km viaduct is undergoing. This section was identified as bottleneck due to rough terrain and single-track railway line.

After the finalization of the project the number of trains will increase and travel time will be shorter, both in the Danube Region and for residents. There is also a high number of passengers between Belgrade and Novi Sad who be able to commute instead of the need to relocate to these cities. Higher level of service will attract new passengers and decrease road passenger transport which will have positive impact on environment. Additionally, all high safety standards will be implemented.

Therefore, by this project capacity, safety and quality of service, number of new passengers and freight flows will increase, releasing the road transportation, while travel time and environmental impacts will decrease.

The immediate benefits of the project refer to the removal of the bottlenecks: the construction of the tunnel and viaduct will shorten the distance and travel time; current alignment of railway line is between the slope of mountain Fruska gora and Danube River and after the finalization of project, the railway line will go through the mountain. Also, the expansion of number of railway tracks will insure the increase of capacity and highest safety standards and will eliminate most of potential hazards. And not the least, people “need for speed” Hence, all conditions of safety and velocity are fulfilled, the new railway line will make possible up to 200 km/h train cruise speed, including the tunnel section.

Financed from a Government loan from the Russian Federation with the participation of the Republic of Serbia in a loan of 15%, the project budget is of 585.466.378,12 USD and planned to be finished by the end of year 2021.