Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and trade

2026-03-01 13:49:00, Sociale CNA

Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and

The Librazhd-Pogradec road was completely blocked on February 21, cutting off one of the main arteries connecting the southeast with the rest of the country and especially with the capital. Today, a week after its blockage, the consequences are tangible in every sector of the economic and social life of the region.

This axis was one of the shortest and most functional connections for the movement of citizens, goods, and tourists, while the immediate interruption has created a chain situation that is deepening day by day.

Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and

The diversion of traffic via the Gramsh-Strelcë-Lozhan-Maliq road has highlighted serious infrastructure problems that had long been overlooked. This alternative segment connecting Korça to Tirana (or vice versa) is dilapidated, with damage to the road surface, deep potholes, narrow segments and numerous curves that make vehicle movement more difficult.

Travel time has been significantly extended, adding several hours to the usual route, while drivers report increased fuel consumption and frequent mechanical breakdowns.

Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and

If going to Tirana from the Librazhd road would take about 3 hours, now from the alternative road that passes through Lozhan and then to Gramsh, it will take at least 4 hours at a time when there is no flow of vehicles. In the worst case, when the flow of traffic is high, this road can be made from 6 to 8 hours. In unstable weather conditions, the risk in traffic increases even more, making this axis unsafe for the high flow it is currently facing.

Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and

The situation is even more sensitive for the health service. Ambulances transporting patients to hospitals in the capital face delays that can be critical in emergency cases. Every minute lost on a worn-out road with heavy traffic translates into real danger for patients who need immediate intervention. Residents of the area have raised concerns that the temporary isolation is becoming a heavy burden on the health security of the community.

From the first days after the blockade, CNA warned of the "hit" that the southeast would receive as a result of the interruption of this strategic axis. A week later, the warning is materializing in concrete figures.

Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and

The tourism sector, which is one of the main pillars of the local economy, is among the hardest hit. In the tourist villages of Dardha and Voskopoja, operators report a significant lack of visitors compared to the same period in previous years. Hundreds of hotels and guesthouses across the southeast have suffered cancellations since February 21, when it became clear that the alternative route would be the only option to connect with the rest of the country.

Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and

According to data from this sector, it is learned that there were massive cancellations within a few days, especially for weekends, where thousands of tourists decided to "abandon" the southeast. On a normal weekend, the city of Korça would be buzzing with tourists, but today, even the most frequented bars in the pedestrian zone are empty.

Financial losses are estimated at millions of euros, affecting not only accommodation facilities, but also restaurants, bars, tourist agencies, local transport and suppliers of agricultural and livestock products. For cities such as Korça, Pogradec and the Kolonjë area, the economic damage risks being irreparable if the situation lasts. Many seasonal businesses operate with narrow profit margins and rely mainly on weekend traffic, but a long period of isolation could lead them to bankruptcy.

Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and

Meanwhile, the domino effect is being felt directly by citizens. The price of intercity transport tickets to Tirana has increased from 700 lek to 1000 lek for a single trip, a significant increase for families who travel frequently for work, study or health care. Transport operators argue that the long detour, increased fuel consumption and depreciation of vehicles make it impossible to maintain the previous tariffs. This increase translates into a direct burden on the family budget, at a time when the cost of living is already high.

Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and

The problem also affects the trade sector. Traders warn that products supplied from other cities will have higher costs due to more expensive transportation and extended travel time. The increase in costs is expected to be reflected in the final prices for the consumer, bringing a new wave of price increases to the local market. In this way, the impact of the road blockage does not remain only in the transport or tourism sector, but spreads throughout the daily economy of citizens.

Blockage of the Librazhd-Pogradec road/ Huge losses for tourism, transport and

A week after the total blockade of the Librazhd-Pogradec road, the southeast is facing a complex situation that affects every link in economic and social life. If the road continues to remain blocked and the current alternative remains the only solution, the damage to businesses in Korça, Pogradec and Kolonjë risks being irreversible. For many enterprises, this period could mark losses that cannot be recovered even in the coming seasons, leaving long-term consequences for the economic development of the entire region. /CNA