Natural diversity defines the region's farm country. Grape-growing and winemaking is not accidental: the main share of the region's well developed food industry is wine production. Because of the critical role of the Vaziani-Gombori-Telavi (VGT) road in the region's economic development, rehabilitating it was a government priority.
The road is an important link between Kakheti, the capital Tbilisi, and the rest of the country. The road was in disrepair for several years because it wasn't being maintained. Its rehabilitation has halved the time and distance needed to travel its length and has already contributed to the economic rejuvenation of the region, especially agriculture.
The World Bank approved a US$30 million loan for the Kakheti Regional Roads Improvement project for Georgia in November 2009. Today, the results are clear–transport costs have been reduced and access and traffic safety for the Kakheti regional roads have been improved.
"We cultivate the land, and sell the most of the harvest. We grow cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, and eggplant. Everybody has a small kitchen garden in our village. Taking these vegetables to market and selling them is our only source of income. We also have a small vineyard, only for home use, for ourselves. But many farmers in the region mostly grow grapes and take them to market. With the new road this has become easier and much faster," says Ghia Zatiashvili, a farmer from Napareuli village.
The new road has also created jobs locally, even in the current economic crisis. Traffic on the road increased from 362 vehicles per day in April 2010 to 1,904 vehicles per day in October 2010. And more cars means more business.
"My restaurant opened a long time ago, but was not functioning properly. Because of the lack of the visitors due to the poor road quality, it was closed. But now, when the new road has been built, I decided to expand and redesign it, to meet the visitor's needs, the number of which is growing. Everybody is welcome here for a brief stop-over and a good meal," says Gocha Lashkarashvili, a small restaurant owner in the Sasadilo village.
The Gombori-Telavi section of the road is prone to landslides, such as the ones that recently occurred. They are due to unstable mountain slopes which have long caused soil to shift. Both the Government and the World Bank were fully aware of the possibility of future landslides on this short section of road before rehabilitation started. The Roads Department is monitoring the situation with a view to finding a permanent solution. Measures have been put in place to improve traffic safety here and along other regional roads. In addition, the capacity of a regional state roads department was also improved, thanks to the project.
The project is part of the framework guiding the World Bank Group's assistance to Georgia for 2010-2013. It supports investments in transport infrastructure, focusing on helping to reduce transport costs, improve internal connectivity, and strengthen Georgia's role as a transport corridor within the South Caucasus. Road investments will also help create much needed temporary jobs and, over time, will boost competitiveness, growth, and job creation prospects.
