More than 700 IDP families to receive homes in Tskaltubo, Georgian balneological resort

Tskitishvili noted that the construction of the houses for IDPs will be completed in 2021. Photo: Tskaltubo.gov.ge.

Agenda.ge, 11 Nov 2019 - 15:33, Tbilisi,Georgia

Houses for more than 700 internally displaced people (IDP) families are being built in Tskaltubo, a Georgian balneological resort in west Georgia, announced Georgian Infrastructure Minister Maia Tskitishvili at a public hearing on the Tskaltubo development project earlier today.

Tskitishvili noted that the construction of these houses will be completed in 2021.

The Ministry of Economy is planning to develop Tskaltubo in accordance with a 6-point plan, Economy Minister Natia Turnava said earlier today.

Turnava said that the state is responsible for implementing these six key points:

  • Preparation of general plan for developing Tskaltubo resort
  • Development of infrastructure at the resort
  • Offering housing to IDPs living in the former sanatoriums or buildings in the Tskaltubo area
  • Unified administration and management of the resort
  • Preparation and implementation a long-run marketing plan
  • Implementation and management of the model for water privatisation

About 40 million GEL ($13.5/€12.2) has been invested in the renovation work of the central park, but work is still underway. Specifically, work to put up a fountain continues,” Tskitishvili said.

Tskitishvili also noted that at this stage construction work for constructing a wastewater treatment plant is on the final stage but a  sewage system has to be installed in the whole resort. 

On October 29, Georgian Dream ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili has announced his intention to completely restore one of Georgia’s most special balneological resorts - Tskaltubo, in western Georgia, saying that he will purchase all 22 hotels and nine thermal baths in the resort to give them new life. 

I believe that in the near future Tskaltubo will become one of the most attractive resorts in eastern Europe,” he said. 

Ivanishvili stated that during and after the renovation of Tskaltubo 15,000-20,000 locals will be employed which will play a role in maintaining people in the regions and for further, regional, economic development. 

PM Giorgi Gakharia said that the project will make Tskaltubo a large-scale tourist centre which will give a "big push to the economic development of the whole western Georgia." 

 Tskaltubo is located 15 km away from Kutaisi and is famous for its various baths, treating about 60 different kinds of diseases.