Paola-Cosenza railway development discussions

In late October 2026, the municipality of San Fili announced it would host a high-level conference titled ‘Paola-Cosenza: a railway for the future. Perspectives and strategies for territorial development’. Organized by Mayor Linda Cribari in partnership with SVIMAR, the event aimed to discuss the strategic importance of the railway line for the Calabria region, specifically regarding its potential to combat depopulation and boost economic growth.

By November 2026, local authorities and experts in San Fili proposed the formation of a technical committee to evaluate the reactivation of the line, which has been out of service for approximately forty years. Mayor Cribari advocated for the project to integrate the Tyrrhenian coast, Cosenza, and inland areas, identifying the San Fili–Rende segment as a potential starting point. While Regional Vice President Filippo Mancuso expressed willingness to participate in technical discussions, he noted the necessity of assessing the long-term sustainability of a line primarily serving tourism. Biagio Faragalli, President of the Province of Cosenza, also expressed support for a unified document among the involved entities.