Municipal Development Fund (MDF) of Infrastructure Ministry Implementing an Urban Upgrade Project in Velistsikhe Village, Kakheti

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May 19, 2025
The project includes the rehabilitation of several dozen houses in the central part of the village of Velistsikhe, the square in front of the Velistsikhe Theater, the central street, and the improvement of the adjacent park area. The road and stormwater drainage systems will also be upgraded, along with the construction of a water treatment facility.

Ongoing urban development works were visited on-site by the Minister of Infrastructure, Revaz Sokhadze; the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Davit Songhulashvili; representatives of the Municipal Development Fund; the State Representative in the Kakheti Region, Giorgi Aladashvili; and local government officials.

“A very important urban renewal project is underway in Velistsikhe, with a total value of 30 million GEL. Unfortunately, the project has been delayed due to the contractor’s failure to fulfill its obligations. We will soon make a decision on the steps needed to ensure the project is completed promptly and with high quality. Work is also underway to resolve the water supply issue, which has caused additional inconvenience for the residents. I would like to apologize to the local population for the current situation. Once these projects are completed, Velistsikhe will become another major tourist destination in Georgia,” said Minister of Infrastructure Revaz Sokhadze during his visit to the site.

As part of the urban renewal project, the facade and first floor of the historic Velistsikhe Theater, named after Vaso Godziashvili, will be renovated.

It is worth noting that the Velistsikhe Theater has a 130-year history, with its first performance held in 1885. The village of Velistsikhe itself is one of the oldest and largest settlements in the Kakheti region, distinguished by its unique architecture and historic buildings.

The project is being implemented with the financial support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

With the renewal of Velistsikhe, the Kakheti region will gain another culturally and architecturally rich tourist destination, creating new economic opportunities for the local population.