Troncales Alimentadoras: A Pivotal Concern for Bogotá’s Metro Completion

As the dawn of a new era in urban transportation approaches, the capital city of Bogotá stands on the precipice of integrating its first metro line into the bustling heart of Colombian life. However, beneath the surface of this monumental achievement lies an intricate web of challenges that could impede the seamless operation and financial stability of the city’s public transport system.

On October 6th, 2025, at a time when anticipation for the metro’s launch reached its zenith, Bogotá’s city ombudsman, Andrés Castro, cast a shadow of concern over the city’s preparations. He issued an urgent call to action regarding the readiness of three pivotal troncal alimentadoras—Transmilenio routes along Av. Ciudad de Cali, Av. 68, and Av. Boyacá—whose completion is essential for accommodating the anticipated surge in passenger demand.

Despite optimistic projections shared by Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, who lauded a significant construction milestone of 64.85% on social media platform X just days prior, Castro’s admonition serves as a stark reminder of the complex realities facing urban infrastructure projects. These concerns are not limited to mere scheduling delays; they extend into potential operational disruptions and financial turmoil that could jeopardize the metro’s functionality upon its inauguration.

The Av. 68 troncal, slated to become one of the city’s most extensive routes, exemplifies these challenges. Although it had reached a commendable completion rate of 70% by late September, initial projections from the outset of Mayor Galán’s tenure suggested an 80% target was within reach. Regrettably, the project had only managed to achieve 44% progress at that time—a stark deviation from expectations.

Castro’s critique extended beyond construction timelines, touching on critical aspects of public safety and service provision. During his briefing on Bogotá’s state of affairs, he highlighted alarming deficits in security infrastructure—30% of surveillance cameras were non-operational—and inefficiencies in healthcare services marked by unwarranted delays in medication distribution.

In the realm of environmental management, Castro underscored a troubling stagnation; over five years, only 19 out of 666 hazardous waste sites had been remediated. These points of critical concern collectively paint a picture of a city striving for progress yet hampered by systemic oversights and underperformances.

As Bogotá stands on the cusp of embracing its metro system, these revelations prompt urgent introspection and action from local authorities to ensure that the promise of improved urban mobility does not falter in the face of infrastructural and administrative hurdles. The journey towards a modernized metropolis continues, fraught with challenges yet unwavering in its pursuit of advancement.

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