Calabria infrastructure and service deficiencies

Infrastructure and service deficiencies in Calabria continue to draw criticism from political and labor representatives. MEP Tridico has highlighted significant gaps in basic services, including water supply, public transport, internet connectivity, and healthcare, particularly within the Sila region. Tridico noted that municipalities like Casali del Manco struggle to maintain essential services without regional financial assistance, and pointed to a lack of investment in cultural and tourism projects, such as the Sila train project, which has been left to local associations due to insufficient funding.

Adding to these concerns, Simone Celebre of Fillea CGIL Calabria warned that large-scale infrastructure projects are at risk of being blocked due to shortages of raw materials and quarries. Celebre cited environmental constraints, bureaucratic delays, and a lack of technical expertise in local government as primary obstacles, warning that sourcing materials from outside the region would increase costs for businesses and citizens.

Further complicating the situation, Flavio Stasi, the Mayor of Corigliano-Rossano, has criticized the regional administration for lacking a clear strategy regarding water purification infrastructure. Stasi noted that 38 agglomerations in Calabria are currently under infringement procedures. He argued that the allocated 15 million euros for coastal municipalities—distributed via SoRiCal—averages only 130,000 euros per municipality, which is insufficient given that Corigliano-Rossano alone requires approximately 100 million euros. Stasi also questioned the transparency of a proposed 175 million euro plan and alleged that the region has failed to secure PNRR funds to address these critical needs.