Georgia’s Regional Development, Infrastructure ministerial candidate highlights key initiatives at parliamentary session

Irakli Karseladze, the candidate for the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, on Wednesday outlined his office’s  past, current and future projects to a session of parliamentary committees, emphasising “crucial initiatives” in road infrastructure, water supply, drainage systems, educational facilities, urban development, and waste management ahead of the confirmation of the Government following last month’s general elections.

He highlighted ongoing implementation of the 2020-2025 decentralisation strategy, approved by the Government.

The development of road infrastructure remains a priority for our ministry [...] Road transport is now utilising 367 kilometers of highways. Over 70 percent of the East-West Highway, which amounts to 302 kilometers, has already opened to traffic. We are continuing our work in this area”, Karseladze said.

He added road transport through the Rikoti Pass - a major crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia - was now utilising a new 48-km main road, which featured 49 newly constructed tunnels and 88 bridges. Furthermore, a “historic”, 1,750-metre tunnel through the Pass has been fully rehabilitated, he said.

The ministerial candidate announced sections of the highway connecting the capital city of Tbilisi to the Black Sea city of Batumi would be completed by 2025. Additionally, construction will begin on two new lanes of the Kobuleti bypass road around the western coastline town, and a four-lane highway from Tbilisi to Rustavi will also be finished.

Construction of several key projects will commence and be completed, including road sections between Rustavi and Red Bridge on the border section with Azerbaijan, between Algeti in Kvemo Kartli region and Sadakhlo near the border with Armenia, Batumi and Sarpi in the west, and an access road to Anaklia deep sea port construction in the Black Sea coast town.

A new entrance and exit road to Tbilisi from the west, and a Tsitsamuri-Zhinvali main road section will also be parts of the effort, while Kvesheti-Kobi Highway tunnels and the highway itself will be completed in the north-south, and construction will continue on additional sections of the Kakheti Highway in the east, Karseladze said.

Addressing water supply and drainage infrastructure, the ministerial candidate announced more than ₾3 billion ($1.10bln) was currently being invested in over 100 locations across the country. The initiative aims to enhance water supply for over 300,000 beneficiaries, promising 24-hour access to water by the end of 2025.

I want to emphasise the significance of our ongoing efforts in constructing sewage and treatment facilities. We will be adding 11 new treatment plants to the existing six, all equipped with three-stage biological treatment processes. This initiative is a crucial step in our continuous commitment to ensuring reliable water supply for the population”, said Karseladze.

The candidate also discussed ongoing improvements in educational infrastructure, highlighting the Ministry’s commitment to advancing preschool and school facilities and adding urban renewal programmes had also “seen success”.

In sports infrastructure, the completion of a football stadium in Marneuli in the south and a sports complex in Arkhiloskalo in the eastern Kakheti region were noted by the official, along with ongoing projects in Akhaltsikhe in the south-west and Zugdidi in the west.

A biathlon and cross-country field is being prepared in the ski resort of Bakuriani for the upcoming European Youth Olympic Festival, while an  Ice Palace in capital Tbilisi is nearing completion.

Karseladze also announced plans for a new sports infrastructure development programme that includes plans for establishing multi-purpose sports complexes in all municipalities and a new football stadium in Tbilisi capable of hosting 70,000 spectators.

He pledged the Ministry remained dedicated to supporting highland settlements and rural areas along the  administrative line separating the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) from the rest of the country, with ongoing and new programmes to improve village infrastructure.

Karseladze also reported the Ministry had fulfilled its state budget by 115.2 percent over the last nine months, outpacing the previous year's budget by ₾255.8 million ($93.70mln), which he said was  the highest figure recorded in the body’s history.