The 30-kilometre section now allows for faster, more efficient travel, reinforcing the government's commitment to reconnecting regions long divided by history.
“This is the Hungarian path,” declared the prime minister, highlighting the transformation of a once-neglected rail corridor into a modern artery of regional growth. He noted that, where once local literature talked about vanished trains and rundown stations, there are now high-speed lines and revitalized infrastructure.
The Békéscsaba–Lökösháza upgrade is part of the wider Alföld program, an initiative aimed at revitalizing Hungary’s eastern and southern regions. According to Prime Minister Orbán, this plan includes three new motorway projects and three major rail developments. The result: enhanced domestic connectivity and international links. Once Romanian sections are completed, travel time between Budapest and Brașov will be cut by five hours.
“This is how we reopen the natural circulation that once gave life to this region,” he said, referencing the impact of post-Trianon borders and the government’s long-term aim to restore economic integration across the Carpathian Basin.
Beyond infrastructure, the prime minister underscored job creation as a central goal. A newly announced investment in Békéscsaba will generate 2,500 new jobs with state support totaling HUF 49 billion. Together with ongoing projects in Debrecen, Szeged, and Gyula, the broader program is expected to produce up to 50,000 new jobs in the Alföld region.
“We want Hungarians to live in peace, security, continuous growth, and with confidence in the future,” Prime Minister Orbán concluded. “Let Békés remain peaceful and prosperous.”