reviewed in Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia.

The discussion was attended by First Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure and Chairman of Roads Department Irakli Karseladze, Deputy Chairmen of Roads Department, MP of Mtskheta-Mtianeti Zakaria Kutsnashvili, representatives of non-governmental organizations and field specialists.

At the meeting, a company Gamma Consulting provided detailed presentation regarding the project. Representatives of non-governmental organizations and field specialists expressed their opinions regarding the project, they had some remarks, which will be analyzed in detail and reflected in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. In sum, the professional circles have positively assessed the Scoping Report.

Kvesheti-Kobi road construction project envisages construction of 2-lane asphalt-concrete road, 6 bridges and 5 tunnels, including one 9 km tunnel. The tunnel starts at the village of Tskere and ends at the village of Kobi, mentioned tunnel will pass under the Jvari pass. Construction of Kvesheti-Kobi road is divided into 2 lots.

After implementation of the project, conditions for road users will be safer and more reliable in the winter period. In addition to this, a new road will prevent traffic flow from the Kazbegi National Park and Gudauri winter resort.

The road will also improve living conditions of population remained in the gorge, which are isolated from the outside world in the winter period and villages of Khada gorge are almost empty.

After construction of the new road, a distance between Kvesheti and Kobi will be reduced by 12 km instead of existing 35 km road, and the travel time on this road will be reduced to 20 minutes instead of 1 hour.

A consultation meeting regarding the EIA on Kvesheti-Kobi project will be held in Kvesheti village on September 7. Besides local population, all interested persons are allowed to participate in the meeting.