TBILISI, May 21 – An opposition politician has warned that a controversial construction site in Tbilisi could put nearby residents at risk, saying expert reports point to a high danger of falling rocks and rockslides.
Lana Galdava, a member of Strong Georgia-Lelo, spoke Thursday at Giorgi Danelia Street, where she said construction work had begun after what she called a “criminal permit” issued by City Hall, Interpressnews reported.
According to Galdava, several days have passed since the municipality temporarily suspended the work, but that does not solve the problem.
She said residents had provided two new reports: a visual engineering-geological assessment and an engineering expert report. According to her, both reports say there is a very high risk of rockfall and activation of rockslide processes at the site.
Galdava also referred to a 2023 report by the National Environment Agency, which she said warned that any type of construction in the area would be dangerous.
The politician said homes stand on the rock face behind her, and that families with children and elderly residents live there. She said one house has eight children, another has four children, and other nearby houses also have children and elderly people inside.
“These people are abandoned,” Galdava said.
She argued that responsibility should not be placed only on the construction company if something goes wrong. The agency that issued the construction permit must also answer, she said.
“Tell us whether a building will be built here. Temporary suspension is not a solution to the problem,” Galdava said.
She demanded answers on whether construction of a multi-storey residential building will continue, and who will take responsibility for the possible consequences.
Galdava also called on the Prosecutor’s Office to say whether it had opened an investigation. If an investigation has started, she said, the public should be told what steps have been taken. If no investigation has started, she said one should begin.
She accused officials of allowing Tbilisi to be “concreted over,” while residents are misled and left without protection for their lives, health and property.
According to Galdava, residents are being told to leave their homes without being told where to go or what will happen to their property.
She also warned that buses and cars traveling toward Napetvrebi and passing through the road near the site may be in danger because of rockfall and landslide processes.
The briefing adds to a wider debate in Tbilisi over construction permits, hillside development and safety risks in densely built neighborhoods.
City Hall has temporarily suspended the construction work, according to Galdava’s remarks, but she said residents need a final answer on whether the project will be stopped or allowed to continue.
