122m GEL for infrastructure development in Shida Kartli

About 122 million GEL will be spent on infrastructure projects in Georgia’s Shida Kartli region in 2014.

Ministry of Infrastructure and Infrastructure Development announced 121 724 262 GEL would be spent on infrastructure projects in Shida Kartli.

The idea to fund infrastructure projects in the Shida Kartli region was discussed today at a meeting between Minister David Narmania and Governor of Shida Kartli Zurab Rusishvili and local authorities.

At the meeting it was decided the Ministry will allocate about 110 million GEL to the projects. The Regional Infrastructure Projects Fund will grant 12 662 862 GEL to the initiative.

Roads

Construction and rehabilitation of roads is the most important thing to work on in the Shida Kartli region this year.

Construction of a section of central highway between Ruisi and Agara, started in 2012, is expected to be finished this year. Last year a 3.5km section of the road was constructed.

This year, construction of a highway between Agara and Osiauri is planned to start. This project has been financed by The World Bank.

Moreover, upgrading the existing overpasses and bridges on the rivers Ksani and Lekhura will be carried out. Work to improve the Rikoti tunnel, which is the main connection between west and east Georgia, will also begin.

Furthermore, work to upgrade regional roads will also take place. The roads include: Agara-Kornisi–Tskhinvali, Akhalkalaki-Noste–Mtiultubani (Akhalkalaki–Noste), Akhalkalaki-Rkonisa (Akhalkalaki-Ertatsminda) and Kareli–Kintsvisi.

The bridge over the Mtkvari River at the access road of the Uplistsikhe complex, which is popular to tourists, will also be rehabilitated. The damaged retaining wall will be restored on the Igoeti-Kaspi-Akhalkalaki road.

Solid waste

Also this year, particular attention will be paid to the management of solid waste and landfills in Khashuri, Kaspi and Gori are expected to be created.

Solid waste rubbish dumps will also be created in Kareli and Kaspi. Solid Waste Management Company of Georgia Ltd will fund and implement these projects, which will cost 1 770 780 GEL.

Water supply

Looking ahead, the next priority is constructing a water supply system in the Shida Kartli region.

So far 78 000 GEL has been allocated to rehabilitate the water supply systems of Kareli, Kaspi and Khashuri municipalities – central towns in Shida Kartli. The works will be carried out by the Municipal Development Fund.

Regulating the water supply system will be continued at villages located in the conflict zone, located north of the region.

The project will cover nine village near breakaway zone South Ossetia, including, Didi Khurvaleti, Gugutaantkari, Koshka, Zardiaantkari, Ditsi, Mereti, Tsaghvli, Atotsi and Knolevi.

In each village four wells were drilled in these villages last year, and water reservoirs will be constructed here this year.

Restoration of the Saltvisi-Tiriponi irrigation system will be continued. When this is completed, 18 200 hectares of land in 30 villages will be irrigated. Construction of an Emergency Clinic is also planned for 2014.

Mtskheta, one of the oldest Georgian cities in Shida Kartli; Photo from Aeetes' Tour

The Government Commission on Regional Development has already approved 19 projects with a total cost of 12 662 862 GEL. Among these, nine projects involve renovating roads and bridges, seven include upgrading irrigation and drinking water systems and sewerage systems, three projects include other infrastructure remedial work.