We would like to respond to the story published by several media outlets regarding the protest of the residents of the village of Futi. Despite the fact that clarifications were made on the mentioned topic several times, the stories did not reflect the position of the Roads Department.

In order for the public to have complete information, we note once again that the construction of the tunnel near the village of Futi in Zestafoni is being carried out in compliance with all established parameters.

Within the framework of the construction of the main road of Rikoti, before the start of construction works on tunnel #3, in order to observe the technical condition of residential houses during the implementation of the project, a preliminary survey of all the buildings in the 250-meter corridor of the tunnel (in village foot) was conducted. The existing cracks of all buildings at that time were marked with plaster.

The construction of the tunnel is being carried out based on the permit issued by the "Construction and Technical Supervision Agency", the new Austrian, so-called NATM method using both small charge explosions and excavation and other methods.

From the first day of work, constant vibration monitoring is carried out.

Since, despite the results of the vibration monitoring, the population was worried about the excess of vibration indicators, the Roads Department ordered the bridge testing center of the technical university, equipped with the latest equipment, to verify the vibration caused by the works.

On 12 April 2022, the Bridge Testing Center conducted a vibration survey of the homes closest to the tunnel in the presence of representatives from the Roads Department, an international monitoring company and the residents of Footh. As a result of the study, the vibration rate was minimal and no overshoot was observed.

On August 8 and 9, 2022, an additional vibration survey was also conducted at the home of a resident of Foote. Excessive vibration was not observed in this case either.

In addition, in October 2022, at the request of the residents of the Chitorelidze district, the technical condition of the residential houses was checked. According to the research of the Samkharauli Bureau of Expertise, the impact of ongoing construction works was not determined on any residential house.

On April 27, 2023, a vibration survey was also conducted on the house closest to the tunnel N3, located 63 meters from the tunnel. The vibration rate was also minimal in this case.

By order of the Roads Department, the Bridge Testing Center of the Technical University conducted a vibration study on May 12, 19, 24, 31 and June 1, 2023. According to the results, the vibration rate was still normal.

The Roads Department continues constant monitoring, and after the completion of the construction of tunnel #3, it repeatedly applies to the Samkharauli National Bureau of Expertise, in order to study the technical condition of residential houses in the village of Futi and to determine the impact of the ongoing works on them.

Currently, the ongoing works in the tunnel have missed the populated area and are taking place away from the settlement.

Considering all of the above, we call on the media to provide the public with objective, verified information. In other cases, we have reason to assume that their goal is not to spread verified information, but to pursue the interests of specific political organizations, which only serves to intimidate the population and discredit the Rikoti project.