“Project of the Century”- The Municipal Development Fund of Georgia will Build a Road to Arkhoti
Pirikita Khevsureti and Piraketa Khevsureti will get connected through a 25 km road section. Presentation of the new road construction project was held in Rustaveli Theater. The event was attended by Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia His Holiness Ilia II, the Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Georgia Davit Narmania, Executive Director of the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia Elguja Khokrishvili and the World Bank representative. Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia delivered an address to the public gathered in Rustaveli Theatre, and emphasized particular importance of the road construction project.
“Khevsurians, don’ let the misfortunes to intimidate you. Mokhevians have also survived similar hardships. The most important thing is not to surrender to the miseries. On the contrary, we have to do our best to overcome these hardships. This road will be a salvation road. God bless you, and God be with thee.” - noted the Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia.
Executive Director of the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia Elguja Khokrishvili gave an interview to the journalists. According to him, approximately GEL 490 000 is required for the road construction purposes; currently negotiations with the World Bank concerning their funding for the road project and preparation of documentation are ongoing.
„Arkhoti road construction is a project of utmost strategic importance, you are well aware that this place is a border area, where the road building and returning of 33 households will benefit to the revival of the region. Right now negotiations with the donor are underway, moreover we have completed preparatory works. Currently the design is under scrutiny, which will be followed by construction works” – stated Mr. Elguja Khokrishvili.
The Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure noted that the 25 km length road construction works will commence in 2014.
„This road will connect Pirikita Khevsureti with Piraketa Khevsureti. Until now the road has never existed and there was only a path for horsemen here. The new road will reach Arkhoti“,- declared Mr. Davit Narmania.
To date only 4 families have been inhabiting Arkhoti. If the road construction project is not realized, they will also have to leave this area, which is bordering on Ingushetia and is of strategic importance for Georgia. In the thirties of past century, there were some 80 families residing in Arkhoti. After road project completion 33 more families are planning to return there.
