A Greek consortium building a new metro line in Athens has accidentally dug a tunnel in the wrong direction, provoking a furious political reaction. The 160-metre tunnel was dug under Katehaki Avenue, a main road artery surrounded by hospitals and public buildings.
Experts have raised safety concerns, fearing subsidence, and demanded corrective action. It was supposed to be part of a new Line 4 running from Alsos Veikou to Goudi. The project is being overseen by Elliniko Metro – the public company formerly known as Attiko Metro and responsible for the Greek capital’s subway system.
The embarrassing mistake was made public by the Greek Communist Party (KKE) MP Christos Katsotis.
The furious politician demanded answers from the government, tabling a question to Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Nikos Tachiaos during a stormy parliamentary session.
He asked why the construction company had excavated 160 metres in the wrong direction without anybody noticing.
“How did Elliniko Metro SA, which has assured us that it is supervising the works on a 24-hour, seven-day basis, not realize that the tunnel had been opened for 160 meters over 6 months?” he thundered.
“The AVAX-Ghello-Alstom consortium continued excavation despite being aware of the deviation,” he added.
The Deputy Minister tried to downplay the error, saying that although the wrongly dug tunnel could cause “minor subsidence” on Katehaki Avenue, there was no immediate danger.
He confirmed that the consortium had been ordered to return to the original plans, claiming the mistake was a procedural misstep rather than a structural flaw.
The Government minister also added that the mistake was not expected to cause major structural problems.
Construction of the Line 4 started in late- 2021 and is scheduled to be completed in 2029.
The project had been under consideration for a long time, and the exact route changed multiple times during the consultation period.
Officials decided to take the Alsos Veikou to Goudi route, as it passes through the densely populated areas of central Athens, such as Galatsi, Exarcheia, Kolonaki, Kaisariani, and Zografou.
There are plans to extend the route further north to Lykovrysi and other important suburbs like Marousi.