The state was supposed to purchase the lands necessary for the "Rail Baltica" project according to the plan several years ago. About 600 such properties have not even begun to be expropriated. The process has started in 266 cases, but some transactions have been suspended. One of these properties is the only home of the Munchs family in the Kekava municipality. More than a year ago, the state notified them that the property was needed for the "Rail Baltica" needs, but since then, it has changed its decision several times, reports the program "Nekā personīga" (TV3).
The "Rail Baltica" route will cross the Daugava River — on one bank is the Kekava municipality, and on the other is the Salaspils municipality. However, the residents of this area have been in uncertainty for years: will the state buy their property or not, reports TV3.
Linda and Madars bought a house in the Daugmale parish of the Kekava municipality in 2018. Since then, it has been their only home where they live with three children. They knew that the "Rail Baltica" route would pass nearby in the future, but this did not seem like a problem. Nearby are the Daugmale hillfort and the bank of the Daugava River. The family planted thuja trees, which were supposed to reduce road noise over time, set up a football field, and began building a garage.
"At that time, it was known that the railway would pass there, 300 meters away. At that moment, it did not seem like an obstacle. Until it came into our yard," says Kekava municipality resident Linda Muncha.
During the design of the bridge over the Daugava, the plans of the "Rail Baltica" implementers changed — to allow for vehicle traffic on the bridge, it was decided to build it on two levels, connecting the Riga bypass road with the Kekava municipality. Activity began around the family's house: measurements, excavations, and studies were conducted.
"Since 2022, we have been constantly receiving informational letters that various works would take place — geodesy, studies, archaeological excavations around our house and on our property. We let them in, allowed them to conduct measurements and studies," says Linda Muncha.
"The embankment is planned in this corner. It affects the house — you see, marks have already been made here. This plot is actually already divided into several parts, it is no longer a single unit," says Kekava municipality resident Madars Munchs.
According to him, the railway will pass through the field along the fence, and a bridge will be built across the road. "As soon as a bridge appears, an embankment is needed. And it encroaches on our territory."
In January 2025, the family received an official letter about the beginning of the expropriation process.
"We were informed that our property was needed for public purposes and would be expropriated. We understood that there was no choice and did not create obstacles. We cooperated, agreed to everything, and waited for the process to be as gentle as possible," says Linda Muncha.
In early July, the project implementer SIA "Eiropas dzelzceļa līnijas" notified the family of the amount of compensation. However, by the end of the month, a new letter arrived — the process was suspended as changes to the bridge project were possible.
Documents show that in August, the companies "Eiropas dzelzceļa līnijas" and "RB Rail" concluded that the object was necessary in any case, which was also agreed upon by the Ministry of Transport. In September, the family was informed about the resumption of expropriation, but in November, the process was stopped again.
In January of this year, the ministry reported that there was still no clarity, and a decision would be made soon. In early March, the family was told that the expropriation would not continue.
"The main argument for stopping the process is to not unjustifiably restrict our property rights. But this sounds strange: how can our rights not be restricted if they have already been limited since the beginning of the process? We no longer feel like owners and do not know how long this will last — tomorrow, in five or ten years," says Linda Muncha.
Board member of SIA "Eiropas dzelzceļa līnijas" Janis Naglis notes that the problem is related to the double bridge project over the Daugava. According to him, the initial project turned out to be significantly more expensive than expected.
It was previously reported that the cost of the bridge could reach around 800 million euros. Cheaper solutions are now being considered — likely, the railway and vehicle traffic will be placed on one level instead of two.
"When revising technical solutions, there is a small chance of changing the affected land plots. However, most likely, regardless of the chosen option, this plot will still be necessary," says Naglis.
Transport Minister Aitis Shvinka stated that an informational report with possible solutions will be presented to the government soon. The European Union has already allocated 51 million euros for the construction of eight bridge supports, but work near Salaspils has not yet begun, and the funds may be lost. Negotiations are ongoing with the European Commission for additional funding.
Despite this, the project implementers still believe that the Munchs family's plot will be necessary. However, without a government decision, no one dares to continue the expropriation.
"All parties involved are trying to act cautiously. We see that disciplinary cases and investigations are initiated very quickly, so everyone is trying to do everything as safely as possible," says Naglis.
The family purchased the house on credit and continues to pay it off. They cannot sell the property, as potential buyers are not willing to pay a fair price for a house that may be demolished. The owners also do not know whether to replace the outdated heating boiler, as they are unsure if they will live here next season.
"Since the notification of expropriation, everything has stopped because there is no point in investing anything. We understand that investing here is not possible," says Linda Muncha. "We have done everything that the state required of us and would like to receive the same treatment in return."
A year and a half ago, the government decided to postpone plans to connect "Rail Baltica" with Riga. The expropriation process had already begun on the section from Misa to Riga, but it is now also suspended. Owners can expect that their property will not be seized in the coming years, but they cannot make long-term plans.
