Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced that the long-delayed rehabilitation of Tbilisi’s Varketili Metro Station is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Responding to a question from Lelo party member Vakhtang Surguladze, Kaladze explained that the project had faced major setbacks after the municipality was forced to terminate contracts with two separate construction companies due to their failure to meet contractual obligations.
“We’ve never hidden the challenges related to the Varketili Metro renovation. The first company failed to fulfill its commitments, so we terminated the contract. The second company also failed to deliver and cooperation with them ended as well,” Kaladze said.
As the mayor stated, the project encountered difficulties finding qualified experts and companies with the necessary experience to carry out the complex technical work. “We faced serious challenges because there are very few specialists or companies with the required expertise for such projects,” he said.
Kaladze added that several companies were reluctant to participate in tenders due to the complex structure of the metro tunnels and safety concerns, recalling the previous incidents that occurred at the station.
“To ensure safety, we invited foreign experts to reassess the project, and as a result, it was redesigned. All necessary studies have now been completed, and the station was temporarily closed to allow for essential works. Our main priority is safety, everything we do must meet the highest standards,” the mayor emphasised.
Kaladze concluded that the rehabilitation is now in its final stage and that Varketili Station will be fully operational by the New Year.
