According to a response from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Action (MAAC) to the PSD deputy Firmino Pereira, "as for the estimated value of the increase in costs due to the price revision" will be, "for the Yellow Line, about 30% , for the Pink Line, about 29%".

At stake are the contracts for the expansion of the Yellow Line, in Vila Nova de Gaia and the construction of the Pink Line, in Porto.

The initial cost of the works amounted to 98.9 million euros (Yellow Line) and 189 million euros (Pink Line), but with the increases, the total grew by around 84 million euros, according to calculations by Lusa agency.

In addition to the contract, the global investment in the two projects is around 407 million euros, including expropriations, projects, supervision, equipment and support systems for exploration.

"The costs arising from the price review may be borne by funds from the State Budget, without prejudice to the allocation of funds resulting from financial availability from other sources of funding", can be read in the ministry's response to the PSD deputy.

The Government also replied that the contract signed by Metro do Porto with the groups responsible for construction (Ferrovial/ACA) "establishes a price revision mechanism in accordance with the formula inscribed in the said contract, with an agreement between the parties".

The ministry led by Duarte Cordeiro also stressed that "the increase in costs derives from the exceptional situation in the supply chains resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, the global energy crisis and the effects resulting from the war in Ukraine", which "caused significant increases in prices of raw materials and labour, with special emphasis on the construction sector".

The completion of the Yellow Line extension work is scheduled for the end of this year, and the Pink Line for the end of 2024.