Tbilisi Mayor: Some political groups seek to turn even public safety into political speculation; we respond with action, facts, and results

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has dismissed misinformation spread in recent days regarding the rehabilitation of Rustaveli Avenue as political speculation.

Speaking at a meeting of the Tbilisi municipal government, he stressed that a news report falsely claimed a shift in the timeline for the completion of the rehabilitation works. Kaladze reaffirmed that works will be completed by the end of November, as originally announced, and urged the public to rely solely on official municipal services for accurate information regarding the project.

“We initiated the comprehensive rehabilitation of Rustaveli Avenue on July 23. We stated from the outset that it would take four months; however, certain media outlets are actively attempting to mislead the public and deliberately disseminate false information across social networks. My appeal to Tbilisians is simple: do not trust fraudsters, and obtain your information directly from the relevant municipal departments. We will actively share only the truth so that the public remains informed on how the work is progressing.

One television channel aired a story alleging that we moved the completion deadline forward to October. They went on to claim that the work would be executed improperly and to a poor standard. I cannot comprehend why anyone would hold such an attitude or seek to keep the audience in a constant state of deception. As I have stated, the works will conclude at the end of November, complete with underground utilities and road infrastructure,” declared Kakha Kaladze.

The Mayor further dismissed social media claims alleging that mature trees were being felled en masse during the Rustaveli Avenue rehabilitation and that City Hall was destroying green spaces.

“A single tree was removed at Freedom Square because it was hollowed out and posed a risk of collapse. Furthermore, due to the partial removal of ground cover, pruning and crown-reshaping works were carried out on a mature plane tree located near the pedestrian underpass. A plane tree adjacent to the Tbilisi First Classical Gymnasium was also lopped. All of this was undertaken to ensure the works proceed correctly and without disruption. We are referring specifically to trees planted near the underground pedestrian crossings. As you know, we are also rehabilitating these underpasses, which requires clearing the earth completely so that the necessary structural works can be carried out,” stated Kakha Kaladze.

Kaladze stressed that any such decision is grounded in expert assessments. Specifically, dead, diseased, or hazardous trees must be removed to ensure public safety.

“Crucially, every single decision of this nature is based on specialist findings. If a tree is diseased or decayed and poses a risk to public life and health, a responsible authority is obligated to act. This is a matter of safety, not politics. Regrettably, certain political groups seek to turn even public safety into a topic of political speculation. Our response will always be action, facts, and concrete results. Love for one’s city is not measured in words. If you truly love this city, you do not sell off its parks; you protect them. You do not diminish recreational spaces—you expand them. You do not strip the city of its assets—you return them to the city,” the Mayor declared.

Furthermore, Kaladze reiterated the policy implemented by the municipality since 2017, under which no recreational space or sports stadium is privatised for residential construction. On the contrary, previously privatised plots are actively being repurchased by the city.

“I wish to remind the public of a vital point: since 2017, when I assumed the responsibilities of Tbilisi Mayor, not a single park, square, recreational space, or stadium has been alienated for the construction of residential blocks. On the contrary, we are doing what no one did for years, returning to the city the very parks, squares, recreational areas, and stadiums that were privatised under the previous administration.

Millions of GEL from the municipal budget are being expended for this purpose. This illustrates the difference between two contrasting approaches. One approach was to sell off the city; we return the city to Tbilisians. That is precisely why we are constructing new parks, creating new green spaces, planting thousands of trees, and reclaiming the territories that the public lost years ago,” the Tbilisi Mayor noted.