Finally, the work was done and at last it was time to reopen the railway link between the Serb dominated city of Gracanica and Kosovo Polje. A railway link that will give the Kosovo Serbs a greater freedom of movement, since the train station in Kosovo Polje is a central point for the railways in Serbia.

The project has strongly been supported and run by the Swedish Battalion and Brigade MNB(C ).

The reopening ceremony was held on Friday, April 11th. The final obstacle, an electrical cable hanging too far down, was taken away and it was all set for the first tour by train from Gracanica to Kosovo Polje.

On the platform in Gracanica many people were present for the
ceremony. Representatives from UNMIK, KFOR, and representatives from the countries that have supported the construction of the railway gathered with local politicians and inhabitants of Gracanica.

The speakers at the ceremony focused on this new possibility for Freedom of Movement which is very important for progress in Kosovo. Mark van den Boogaard, representing the Netherlands, Ndue Kartti from UNMIK Rail and the local politician Dragan Velic, cut the ceremonial ribbon. Finally it was time for the most important thing, the actual first tour with passengers. The people on the platform watched the train slowly move towards Kosovo Polje.

There was one final problem to be solved. There were no traffic lights at the crossing on Road Hawk, a road with heavy traffic between Pristina and Skopje. For now, this crossing will be guarded in order to maintain security. The train between Gracanica and Kosovo Polje will run Monday and Friday, twice daily.
Originally, this railway was made primarily for the use of the Kisnica-mine, close to Gracanica. In the middle of 1990, all traffic was put to halt on the the railway between Gracanica and Kosovo Polje. About a year ago, the idea of restoring and reopening the railway link between Kosovo Polje and Gracanica was born at the fifth Swedish Battalion. The idea was to make it easier for Serbs living in Gracanica to travel safely to and from Serbia.

The Dutch state financed the project, and UNMIK Rail is responsible for operating the railway. Finally, Italy donated the two train wagons that will be used.