People from Shida Kartli against Railway Department

The collections of signatures on petition to Railway Department officials have finished in the Gori district villages. The signatures are also being collected among train passengers. As it has become clear people demands to restore the abolished Tbilisi-Nikozi train itinerary.  

Passenger-local trains were totally abolished several months ago. The decision made by Ezugbaia, head of Railway Department resulted into number of demonstrations in the regions. Several days later Georgian President called the decision nonsense. For example, Kobuleti-Batumi local train, which President had opened before abolishing, was restored on the next day.

Different situation is in Shida Kartli. Tbilisi-Khashuri local train has been restored, however the ‘electrichka’ having left Tbilisi was sent till Kutaisi. It resulted into increasing number of passengers.  Tbilisi-Kutaisi train is crowded and because of that it is impossible to travel by it.

As for Tbilisi-Nikozi train’s fate, which actually used to travel by day-time, is still obscure. The inhabitants of upper-area villages within Gori district used to travel by it, who mainly grow apple. And one of the cheap ways of selling out their apple was this train.

They, in Railway Department, are not aware what itineraries would be added yet. While in 2004 late Georgian Prime-Minister Zurab Zhvania visited Tskhinvali District to assist the restoration of Gori-Tskhinvali railway line and not to delay the movement in this territory. From Gori the train goes up to Nikozi only. And Tskhinvali is two kilometers away from Nikozi. 

There is a version of abolishing the Tbilisi-Nikozi train itinerary; it states that according to law enforcement communities’ information smuggled cigarettes were transported by this train from Nikozi area. By the way, Shida Kartli Financial Police Department, Chief Zurab Arsoshvili, carried out several special operations in this train; however they took place at night. The people demands to restore day-time itineraries for the train.

Saba Tsitsikashvili, Gori