Over 500 infrastructure projects worth $31 million planned for eastern Georgia’s Kakheti province

Eastern Georgia’s winemaking region of Kakheti will benefit from over 500 infrastructure projects worth ₾96 million (about $31m/€30m), the Ministry of Infrastructure revealed on Wednesday.

From solar-powered utilities to digital information initiatives co-funded by the European Union, recreational spaces, irrigation systems, cultural venues and more, the region will receive both new initiatives and upgrades to its infrastructure.

Currently, a part of the projects is already underway, while tenders for others have been announced. A portion of the projects are at the selection and evaluation stage", Ilia Begiashvili, the First Deputy Infrastructure Minister, said.

The projects are currently underway in cities and towns in municipalities of Telavi, Sighnaghi, Gurjaani, Sagareko and Akhmeta. The projects are financed by the Government budget as well as the EU.

In Telavi, the initiatives have involved installation of solar-powered chairs, allowing locals and visitors to enjoy free internet and phone charging utilities, and receive information from the Telavi tourist map posted on Lightbox.

QR codes and QR cubes are also planned to be installed on historical monuments [in localities]. The project is co-funded by the EU's Pilot Integrated Regional Development Programme and the local budget", the Ministry explained.

Under the same programme, a new square is being built in the town of Tsnori with green spaces, an irrigation system, space for children and exercise, an amphitheatre, a fountain and lighting. The Ministry said ₾1.9 million (about $0.63m/€0.59m) would be spent on the project.

The Ministry also announced road infrastructure would be improved in Gurjaani, while a new kindergarten would be built in the Sagarejo Municipality village of Kakabeti.

"Also in the Sagarejo Municipality, construction of a new road reaching Mariamjvari Strict Nature Reserve worth ₾2.3 million has started. A road section connecting the villages of Upper and Lower Kandauri will also be renovated", the state body noted.