Rehabilitated Main Canal Opened in Tiriponi

A rehabilitated main canal in the village of Tiriponi was officially opened as part of the rehabilitation project of the Saltvisi–Tiriponi irrigation system in the Gori district.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Davit Narmania, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Davit Shervashidze, Deputy Mission Director of USAID in Georgia Roy Plucknett, Deputy Executive Director of the Municipal Development Fund Teimuraz Murghulia, and Director of the United Amelioration Systems Company of Georgia Vazha Kirtava.

The rehabilitation of the Tiriponi–Saltvisi irrigation system in the conflict zone is being implemented by the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia with financial support from USAID.

The total value of the project amounts to GEL 13.365 million.

Construction works commenced in August 2012 and are scheduled for completion this year. Up to 100 local residents have been employed as part of the project implementation.

The main canals of the Saltvisi and Tiriponi irrigation systems run along the boundary line of the occupied territory. In particular, the Tiriponi main canal crosses the occupied territory in three separate sections. Accordingly, construction works are being carried out under special supervision.

The project in the conflict zone is being implemented by the Georgian construction company Mshenebeli 80.

As a result of the opening of the Tiriponi main canal, approximately 5,000 hectares of agricultural land across 23 villages in the Gori Municipality will receive irrigation water. This includes around 700 hectares of agricultural land in five Ossetian villages — Zemo Artsevi, Goiaantkari, Otrevi, Maksiaant Ubani, and Tsinagari — which will also be supplied with irrigation water. Water is supplied to the Tiriponi main canal from the Patara Liakhvi River.

Upon full completion of the works, the rehabilitation of the Tiriponi irrigation system will restore irrigation infrastructure for up to 8,500 hectares of agricultural land across 14 villages: Ergneti, Meghvrekisi, Brotsleti, Tirdznisi, Tergvisi, Karbi, Khere, Tkviavi, Plavi, Plavismani, Kveshi, Kitsnisi, Marana, and Karaleti.

The rehabilitation of Saltvisi irrigation system envisages restoration of irrigation infrastructure for up to 9,700 hectares of agricultural land across 16 villages: Zemo Nikozi, Kvemo Nikozi, Zemo Khviti, Kvemo Khviti, Pkhvenisi, Qelqceula, Shindisi, Akhaldaba, Variani, Varianis Meurneoba, Sakasheti, Dzlevijvari, Arashenda, Dirbi, Dvani, and Takhtistskiri.

Prior to 2008, a significant number of villages in the Gori Municipality relied on the Tiriponi irrigation system. However, following the August 2008 war, the de facto authorities blocked the canal, making agricultural production impossible in villages left without irrigation water.

Following completion of the rehabilitation works, the supply of irrigation water will be fully restored.

To date, construction works have already included cleaning of 16 kilometers of the Saltvisi and Tiriponi main canals.