Diamo remediation project in Hustopeče delayed by legal challenge

The second stage of environmental remediation following a toxic benzene train accident in Hustopeče nad Bečvou has been delayed. The state enterprise Diamo, responsible for the cleanup, has not yet signed a contract for the works, which are valued at several hundred million CZK.

The delay stems from a legal challenge filed with the Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS) by an unsuccessful bidder. Diamo spokesperson Kristýna Hanušová stated that the company is contesting the procedure because the petitioner did not inform the contracting authority of the filing. Diamo is currently awaiting a decision from the ÚOHS.

Despite the delay in the second phase, remediation work in the area has not stopped. Diamo has also made progress in securing land rights, having reached agreements with owners for approximately 80 percent of the 11.25-hectare contaminated area. The tender process involved representatives from the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Industry and Trade due to the specific nature of the project.