In Pompeii, in recent days, press releases and rumors have followed one another, but the topic is always the same: The so-called EAV Project and the underpasses that accompany it. In the meantime, the Campania Region is assigning the evacuation zones in the event of an eruption of Vesuvius. In Pompeii, it was Sardinia (?). But no one cares. We don't know who has taken into account the Gulf of Naples, excluding tidal waves in the unfortunate event of an eruption. So, is this okay for the Pompeians? Yes, evidently. And it's also okay for those who only deal with the underpasses. Few but bellicose. They only think about how to "bury" the EAV Project. Literally. A question, however, arises spontaneously. And it is this: but hadn't the EAV, now the Vesuvius Transport Consortium - or some of its representatives and managers - already publicly committed to reviewing them or even replacing them? The request had been expressly advanced, in every venue and manner, by the No Underpasses Committee. And the first underpass intended for suppression, already in the planning phase, was about sixty linear meters. Objectively disproportionate in length. At present, however, it is known that EAV has already spoken and intends to continue in this interlocutory phase of discussion with the managers and/or spokespersons of the two Committees. In fact, the No Underpasses Committee seems to be divided into two Committees. In the next few days, therefore, other meetings/discussions will be held between the NO Underpasses Committee and EAV. The only issue on the table seems to be the burial. But no one is dealing with the burial quota. If it will be that of the Roman era, it is a disaster foretold for the findings that will be made in the pomeriale area of ancient Pompeii, cut by the tracks that pass just over a meter from the walls of the ancient City. We hope that the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, which has been greatly absent up to now, will make its voice heard at the Conference of Services. Meanwhile, the City government majority appears paralyzed to the point of deserting the City Council presided over by vociferous representatives of the Committee. A press conference was called specifically. And Amitrano threatened “everyone home” if the situation does not resolve itself. What leaves us most perplexed is the fact that the EAV is concerned with speaking exclusively with the representatives of the “ultras” of the Committee who are waving the flag of the House of Borrelli with a good dose of cynicism.
On the contrary, the two Committees contain within their variegated internal positions that are possibilist and open to project adjustments. These are positions that tend to avoid the risk of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. However, the openings do not emerge from the apical structures of the two Committees. In fact, they are occupied in the name of the empty chair theory, as per the widespread practice of spontaneous and voluntary organizations. That is, "occupied" by those who propose themselves and put themselves before others, raising their voices and tones. And this happens in defiance of the rules of democracy which, deviating from its own path, thus tends to be tinged with demagogy. And late-'68ism.
Cronache della Campania has instead been open to the possibility from the very beginning. It has highlighted the critical points of the project, but reiterated the need for its adoption, once amended. In our opinion, Pompei cannot afford to lose the approximately seventy million euros gross needed for the works to be done. They will not weigh on the municipal budget, which could never afford such an expense. Obviously. The EAV's response has in any case been positive for the preservation of the pedestrian crossing at ground level on Via Nolana, crossed by thousands of people every day near the Parish of S. Salvatore. We note this with satisfaction and will monitor this result achieved. We also appreciate the new attention paid by EAV to hypotheses of better solutions for the remaining three pedestrian underpasses, which - it must be said clearly - will in any case be used by a few hundred people during the day, and not always.
We at Cronache della Campania, alone so far, have also raised the issue of the damage - certain and now verified at an international level - that pollution from urban traffic causes to the DNA and therefore to the health of citizens. In Pompeii there are thousands of resident citizens forced to inhale high levels of fine dust and poisonous gases produced by the traffic that daily besieges what we have called the "quadrilateral of Smog" of the streets of the city center. Added to this is the square of the Sanctuary and the entire development of the Via Nolana up to the crossroads of Tre Ponti. There are therefore thousands - between five thousand and ten thousand at least - citizens who suffer, and will suffer in the future, from pathologies from excessive urban traffic. From these columns we have reported the damage that will accumulate on the skin of the citizens in Pompeii if there are unjustified delays or losses of funds intended for Pompeii. We will also monitor this. We also know that a national environmental association is taking action on the report we made regarding the dubious efficiency of the air quality detection station/control unit located in Via Lepanto, next to the former courthouse. The Municipality of Pompeii, ARPAC and EAV – therefore the Campania Region itself – are called to particular responsibilities. ARPAC above all. In short, just to be clear, here Public Health is at stake, as well as the EAV railway network and someone runs the serious risk of paying for the delays.
Federico LI Federico
EDITORIAL TEAM
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