Infrastructure Minister says Rikoti Highway construction did not cause landslide risks on section

Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze on Tuesday said the landslide risks observed last month on the kilometre 149 section of the Rikoti Pass, a major crossing between the western and eastern parts of the country, had not been caused by the construction works on a new highway through the Pass.

Karseladze was commenting on the threats of landslides developing during the Rikoti Highway construction after recent media reports that said the risks had been caused by the heavy works on the section.

The Minister said cracks had been revealed 200 metres from the existing road after snow melted in the area, leading to the section being closed to traffic on March 29 and drivers redirected to the Gomi-Sachkhere-Chiatura-Zestaponi direction.

He also said studies were launched on the geological conditions in the area, and added the authorities recognised the “unpopular” nature of the decision to close the highway that allows through most of the traffic between the western and eastern parts of the country.

Traffic on Rikoti Pass resumed under “special regime” on April 8.