Serbian Railways has 712 km of railway tracks in Vojvodina, but government proposal envisages the recession of 540 km because Serbian Railways is in a difficult financial situation. Company pays huge taxes, including taxes for the land where the railways are out of order. Many company's facilities are unused, such as the railway station in Novi Sad. Company also owns 25 m of land on either side of the rail tracks. Our idea is to activate discontinued lines for the purpose of growing medicinal plants, their processing and transportation. This would take advantage of land which today has no use, while old facilities will be used for processing and production of medicinal plants. Along these routes small organic producers curently without the possibility of exporting their goods, would be included. This would create a network of organic farmers around Vojodina, and make Novi Sad and the building of a railway station a center for the promotion and distribution of these products.
Market of medicinal plants in the European Union and Serbia registers growth and that there is sustainable demand for medicinal herbs. Today, these plants in Serbia are grown on 1355 ha, and the realization of this project would bring the additional 2200 ha of land along the railway line. The result of this project is that Serbian Railways becomes profitable and financially independent company.
Financial gain would be gradually invested in modernization of railway infrastructure and buildings including electrification of railways in order to reduce pollution of environment. These actions would bring multiple benefits to the company and to the entire economy of Vojvodina and Serbia. It would also attract more users, so it could provide that one day railway becomes main way of transportation in Vojvodina and Serbia.
Because of authentics of the building and expected legal protection, is not possible to make drastic changes in the building. The aim is to activate space that is abounded and unused. As a result, certain program changes will be made, which raises quality and gives new identity to the railroad station in Novi Sad.
Vehicle transportation in front of railroad station will be removed and this huge space will be used as experimental field for growing previously mentioned plants. Also, temporary market is planed in front of the building and in the central hall. This way small organic producers will be able to sell their products, 2-3 times per week. On the right side central hall continues in a showroom with sale, presentation and gustation of the products.
Building also accommodates packaging, storage and wholesale of the products. Upstairs, the restaurant, currently out of use, is revived and connected to the showroom on the ground floor. Also, offices and ancillary facilities for the management of the new agricultural enterprise are placed on the upper level. The A wing is not considered for changing because it belongs to the Serbian Railways administration.
