No, an occupancy permit (upotrebna dozvola) was not issued for the reconstructed Novi Sad Railway Station prior to its opening and the subsequent collapse of its canopy on November 1, 2024. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

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The station was operating under a falsified temporary operating permit (dozvola za probni rad) at the time of the incident, which is typically valid for one year and can substitute for a full occupancy permit. [4] [6] This temporary permit was reportedly in effect until April 2025. [4] [6]

The lack of a valid occupancy permit for the Novi Sad Railway Station has been a central point of investigation and public concern following the tragic collapse that killed 15 people and severely injured one. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the situation:

1. The Requirement for an Occupancy Permit: In Serbia, an occupancy permit is a crucial document in construction, signifying that a building has been constructed according to regulations, its equipment is checked and functional, and it is connected to the necessary infrastructure. Without it, a facility cannot be used, as mandated by the Law on Planning and Construction of Serbia. [1] [5] It serves as proof that the final inspection has been completed and the building is safe for use. [1]

2. Reconstruction and Opening of Novi Sad Railway Station: The main railway station in Novi Sad underwent a three-year reconstruction. [3] It was officially opened in July 2024, [3] [5] with a previous partial opening in March 2022. [5]

3. Absence of Occupancy Permit: Publicly available documents from state institutions in Serbia do not show that the Novi Sad Railway Station had an occupancy permit. [3] [5] "Infrastruktura železnice Srbije" (Serbian Railways Infrastructure), the investor for the reconstruction, did not respond to inquiries about whether the building had an occupancy permit, nor did the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure, which is responsible for issuing such permits. [3] [5] Experts, including Professor Goran Vojvodić from the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade, stated that without an occupancy permit, a building effectively does not exist and cannot be used, remaining under the contractor's responsibility. [3]

4. The Role of the Temporary Operating Permit: While a full occupancy permit was not issued, the station was operating under a temporary operating permit. [4] [6] This type of permit, issued by a company authorized for technical inspection, can replace an occupancy permit for a period of up to one year, particularly if further testing of installations, equipment, or safety systems is required. [1] [4] [6]

5. Allegations of Falsification: On December 10, 2025, it was reported that the temporary operating permit for the Novi Sad Railway Station was allegedly falsified. [4] [6] A manager from "Infrastruktura železnice Srbije" and three members of the technical inspection commission were arrested in connection with these allegations. [4] [6] The technical inspection report, compiled in April of the previous year by a consortium of companies (Trioprojekt, Beogradčvor, and KBV Datacom), stated that there were no deficiencies affecting the stability and functionality of the building. [4] [6]

6. Legal Implications and Public Reaction: The absence of a valid occupancy permit, and the subsequent allegations of falsification, highlight a systemic issue in Serbian construction. [1] [2] [5] Critics argue that the practice of opening public facilities without proper permits is dangerous and reflects a disregard for safety regulations. [1] [2] [5] The tragedy at Novi Sad has brought this issue to the forefront, with calls for accountability and transparency. [2] [3] [5]

7. Similar Cases: The Novi Sad Railway Station is not an isolated case. Other significant public structures in Serbia, such as the "Prokop" railway station in Belgrade and the Ada Bridge, have also operated for extended periods without occupancy permits. [1] [5] The "Prokop" station, for instance, was opened in October 2023 without an occupancy permit, which was only issued in February 2025, and even then, issues with platform beams were later identified. [1] [7]

8. Ongoing Investigation: The investigation into the collapse and the permit irregularities is ongoing. [2] [3] [5] The public prosecutor's office in Novi Sad has questioned numerous individuals, including former Minister of Construction Goran Vesić, who subsequently resigned. [3] [5] The secrecy surrounding contracts with the Chinese companies involved in the reconstruction has also raised concerns. [2] [3]