Construction of 9.5 km highway of Samtredia-Grigoleti road is an important infrastructure project for the country and it will commence once the resettlement process is completed in the construction area.

Procurement of land plots from the private landowners became necessary for the commencement of works at mentioned site. At present, 96 land plots have been acquired within the project. Part of landowners are dealing with property registration issues, while with part of them agreement could not be reached.

It should be noted that compensation amount determined for the road construction project is 8-10 times more than the price of land plots in Lanchkhuti municipality.

Amount of compensation is determined based on Resettlement Policy (2014) of donor organization – European Investment Bank and it is focused on integrity of private ownership and principles of objective assessment of the property.

According to the Resettlement Action Plan various components are valuated: arable land plot – 3 GEL sq.m; residential land plot – 4 GEL sq.m; non-agricultural land plot – 5 GEL sq.m; compensation amount for annual and perennial crops; compensation amount for evaluation of structures (among them even old buildings and fences are evaluated considering the construction costs); additional compensation in the amount of 915 GEL will be paid to inhabitants whose more than 20% of total area is under the project impact;  additional compensation in the amount of 915 GEL will be paid to owners with the status of vulnerable individual. Amount to be paid as a compensation to each owner is determined based on identifying the total amount and value of mentioned components.  

Roads Department has used all available media sources to obtain agreement from the landowners for acquisition of real estate. After arrangement of meetings by competent persons, provision of detailed information to population verbally and in written form the owners, in case of refusal to receive a compensation, were notified about great importance of the projects to be implemented. Also, they were once again offered to voluntarily alienate the ownership in return for compensation specified by Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan. 

With the same notification, the owners were informed that in case of refusal, Roads Department of Georgia will act in accordance with the Law of Georgia on “the Rules for Expropriation of Ownership for Necessary Public Need” and will apply to court to obtain the right for expropriation the part of their ownership affected by the project.

It has to be noted that the owners of private property located within the construction area can apply to court even after receipt of compensation and defend their requirements without causing a delay to important infrastructure project.