«In Gudauri illegal construction is flourishing - we do not even know whether the resort will open this year», - Miranda Esakia, co-founder of the Association of mountain resorts, states.
According to her, two major illegal construction projects are still on hold, the developers have already applied for a permit.
In addition, Miranda Esakyia notes that the resort is full of chaos: every day illegal tents appear, and nothing is being done to improve infrastructure. As noted by the co-founder of the Association of mountain resorts, under such conditions it is unclear whether the resort will be able to function in the winter season.
«In Gudauri, illegal construction is flourishing. The service of technical supervision does not react. Moreover, these illegal tents are becoming more and more at the top of the gondolas. Every day they build a new tent or expand this disgrace. The issue of electricity theft from the cable car is still relevant. These are private individuals who open shops and catering establishments that, first, are in a terrible state of unsanitary conditions, and second, do not fit into any ethical rules. They also work illegally, they don’t have cash registers and permits. The main thing in this story is that the state allows such disorder and lawlessness.
As for these two large illegal construction projects, they have been temporarily suspended, but, as we have learned, these companies have already applied for permits from the Ministry of Economy. They have already poured concrete on the middle track. Do you understand what a tragicomedy this is?! If they do not receive permission to continue construction, the first ski run will be dug up, the ground will be destroyed, and it will be impossible to ski there.
Worse still, those responsible for the mountain resorts have written letters of resignation. This information has been confirmed to us by the Mountain Resort Development Company LLC. There are two months left before the season opens, and who will come and sort out this mess in such a short time? For example, Irakli Burchuladze, who has been in power for so long, has not implemented a single infrastructure project in a year, has not tested the cable car, has not built a snowmobile, has done nothing at all. ‘There is a lot of work to be done now. We are facing a lot of misunderstanding,’ says Miranda Esakia.
In her words, the Mountain Resorts Association has also appealed to the Ministry of Economy, but has not yet received a response.
"We have also written to the Ministry of Economy and the Mountain Resorts company requesting a working meeting, as there is a possibility that winter resorts will not open at all, and this is very worrying for us. We are offering our participation, I am telling them that we will help them in any way we can, but no one is getting in touch. All members of our Association believe that the only person with the relevant experience, qualifications and trust is Tazo Gamtsemlidze. Only he can sort out this chaos in two months. We have repeatedly asked Mariam Kvirivishvili to appoint this man as our leader before making any decisions, otherwise even the cable car will not be able to operate," says Miranda Esakia.
They say at the Mountain Resorts Development Company that an official letter had already been sent to the Business Association, and a meeting would take place soon.
'We have encountered a major misunderstanding: 'Illegal constructions in Kvavli, Gudauri — we don't even know if the resort will open at all this year'.
