Environment Minister condemns new construction in Vere River valley

Georgia's Environment Ministry is condemning any new construction in the Vere River valley as the area is mostly municipal territory and deemed potentially vulnerable to future natural disasters.

Today Environment Minister Gigla Agulashvili spoke about the disastrous June 13 flood in an interview with a local newspaper. In the piece he said the Government should not only abstain from constructing new buildings, but also to refrain from rebuilding the ones that were destroyed in the flash flood.

The part of the Vere Gorge where the tragedy took place is mostly municipal property but a large part belongs to the private sector. In the past this was also municipal property but the territory was sold. Private owners made unwise decision and started constructions,” he said.

In my opinion, nothing should be built in the Vere grove, including in Heroes Square. I think that it would be better if we open the tunnel under Heroes Square as well. The river carved out this territory, this is its path and it will not give [this route] up. Even the destroyed houses should not be rebuilt in this area,” said Agulashvili.

The Environment Minister also stressed that the design to reconstruct the New Highway (Chabua Amirejibi Highway) showed the road might not cross the river as it did in the past but follow the contour of the river at its edge.

"We are also considering a recommendation to build bridge-like constructions instead of corrugated tunnels for the river,” he said.