New citizens' initiative

Gurgl valley residents form against long-distance pass tunnel

Moderate discontent. The number of demonstrators was surprising, the (creative) message was clear: no tunnel!(Bild: Hubert Daum)

Since the unveiling of the "Fernpass package" with tunnel and toll, the population has been seething. The first hearing in Nassereith was "accompanied" by demonstrators from both sides of the Fernpass. At the same time, it was the zero hour of the new citizens' initiative "Lebensraum Gurgltal".

The aim is very clear: to prevent the project. It should also be clear which project is meant when citizens gather in Nassereith: the Fernpass tunnel and the associated toll. Who wants to stop it? At least the surprisingly large crowd that "welcomed" the state officials who had come to the first hearing on Thursday morning.

Clear message on the banner, with initiator Ludwig Gruber on the right.(Bild: Hubert Daum)

"Lebensraum Gurgltal" launched from the baptism
"This tunnel doesn't make sense for anyone, it's a waste of a lot of taxpayers' money," was heard from the hundreds of people who had formed online and traveled from all over the Gurgltal valley. But people from outside the valley also demonstrated against the "over-driving" of provincial politics by driving over. The meeting in front of the Nassereither municipal office was also supposed to be the zero hour for the citizens' initiative "Lebensraum Gurgltal". Initiator Ludwig Gruber: "The official foundation will take place next week." There were plenty of signatures.

Many immediately became members of the citizens' initiative "Lebensraum Gurgltal".(Bild: Hubert Daum)

No majority for referendum
According to Gruber, there is no question of relieving the population, on the contrary: the consequences of this concept are unacceptable for the citizens living here. Incidentally, at the last municipal council meeting, Nassereith's deputy mayor Christian Öfner wanted to hold a referendum, but did not receive the necessary two-thirds majority of the mandataries, who are elected by the citizens.