Georgia’s Ministry of Economy has granted the Municipal Development Fund (MDF) the right to seek the expropriation of five land plots in Tbilisi for the second section of the Tbilisi-Rustavi highway. The properties, covering a total of 3,153 square metres, are part of the Ponichala bypass project, with negotiations over voluntary purchases failing to reach an agreement with some owners.
Under a ministerial order dated November 2, 2026, the MDF is authorized to apply to the court to initiate expropriation proceedings. The largest plot covers 1,637 square metres, while the others range from 233 to 500 square metres. The properties include buildings and facilities such as a car wash and vehicle repair workshops. Owners are entitled to prior, full and fair compensation.
The acquisition of land for the bypass is estimated to cost GEL 17.1 million. Of the 66 plots required for the project, 51 had already been purchased by July 2026 for GEL 12 million.
The Tbilisi-Rustavi highway project began in 2014 but was suspended in 2019 following design problems and local residents' protests. A revised 3.6-kilometre route was completed in 2025. However, the construction tender, estimated at GEL 113 million, failed after the sole bidder, Turkish company YDA İnşaat, was disqualified.
