Construction works of Namakhvan HPP resumed under police protection

The preparatory works for the construction of the Namakhvan cascade of hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) have resumed today despite Georgian authorities' promises. The police did not allow protesters to enter the construction site.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that protests against the construction of the Namakhvan HPP continue for almost six months. On March 29, the Prime Minister of Georgia announced that the construction of the Namakhvan HPP would be suspended for 9-12 months in order to thoroughly check its impact on the environment.

The movements in the Rioni Gorge are limited because of the restart of the preparation works for the construction of the Namakhvan HPP in order to protect security and law and order, the "InterPressNews" has quoted the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

On April 3, the preparatory works were resumed. A lot of policemen have been deployed in the area. The road to Namakhvani was blocked by the police on both sides; and local residents were not let to the construction site. "They want to legitimize lawlessness with the help of policemen; but we just want to defend our land," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has translated the words of a local resident, who spoke on air of the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Company.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 3, 2021 at 07:49 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.