TBILISI, January 15 – Cable thefts targeting highway lighting along one of Georgia’s main east–west transport routes have raised safety concerns, prompting warnings from road authorities.
Georgia’s Roads Department said several incidents of damage and theft of external lighting cables have been recorded in recent months along sections of the E60 Tbilisi–Senaki–Leselidze highway, including the mountainous Rikoti Pass area. The route is a key artery linking eastern and western Georgia.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Roads Department, which operates under the Ministry of Infrastructure of Georgia, said the thefts are a criminal offense under Georgian law and pose a real risk to motorists by leaving sections of the highway without proper lighting.
The agency said it responds immediately to each incident and carries out repair work on damaged sections. However, it warned that restoration takes time, and traffic safety risks increase during periods when lighting is out.
The most recent case was reported on Tuesday, when several hundred meters of lighting cable were stolen near the 185-kilometer mark of the highway. The incident was reported to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, which launched a response.
Road officials said monitoring and control measures will be tightened and that all such incidents will be referred to law enforcement for action under existing legislation.
The Roads Department urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
