In Roads Department of Georgia, a meeting was held with the representatives of Tusheti and Pankisi gorge regarding rehabilitation-reconstruction-construction project of up to 238-km road in the direction of Sno-Juta-Roshka-Arkhoti-Shatili-Omalo-Khadori gorge-Batsara-Akhmeta.

At the meeting, First Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Chairman of Roads Department Irakli Karseladze and Deputy Chairman Levan Kupatashvili provided local population with detailed information on project progress.

In turn, residents of Tusheti and Pankisi gorge asked questions regarding interesting topics, in response to which representatives of the agency provided comprehensive answers.

It should be noted that reconstruction-construction of Sno-Juta-Roshka-Arkhoti-Shatili-Omalo-Khadori gorge-Batsara-Akhmeta road will not be carried out at the expense of removal of existing Pshaveli-Abano-Omalo road. According to Irakli Karseladze, in contrary, rehabilitation of Pshaveli-Abano-Omalo road and study of landslide section has been planned in order to ensure safe movement in the direction of Tusheti.

Local residents mentioned that planned circular route is very important for the region and development of mountain, desperate situation will be avoided, which will help to attract more tourists in this region and creating more wealth.

 “We are glad that direct communication will be possible with local population, we all agree that there is a necessity of road for development of the region, especially in mountain. The road will be constructed in compliance with mountain road standards and considering maximum traffic safety” – said Mr. Karseladze.

Tusheti Community Council and Pankisi Elders’ Union promised the Department that they will help regarding construction issues of the new road in Tusheti direction.  

At the end of the meeting, participants agreed that in the future communication and bilateral exchange of views will be possible on all matters.

Rehabilitation-reconstruction will take place on 70% of Sno-Juta-Roshka-Arkhoti-Shatili-Omalo-Khadori gorge-Batsara-Akhmeta road, while construction of new road will be necessary for remaining 30%. Rehabilitation works are started on part of this project, bidding procedures are ongoing on several sections, while design works on new road alignment are intensely ongoing on other part.

Mtskheta-Mtianeti region is one of the outstanding areas for tourists, with its special nature and historical monuments. Recently, construction of infrastructure sites and rehabilitation of historical monuments, such as Kazbegi, Shatili and Mutso, made the region more attractive for tourists. However, tourists use existing paths and pass through them towards Mta-Tusheti.

It should be noted that the road will make the region more attractive for visitors, which will promote development of tourist infrastructure and improvement of economic conditions of population. At the same time, construction of these roads has a strategic importance for the border region.