Published: 24 August, 2007, 22:41
Edited: 24 August, 2007, 22:41
As major construction starts in Sochi, following its successful bid to host the 2014 Winter Olypmics, some of the city’s residents are afraid they will lose their homes and businesses. Meanwhile, Russia's government is about to adopt the so-called “
The holiday season in Sochi is at its peak – and so is its investment boom. Fences around the construction sites and crane towers have become a typical picture in Sochi along with the crowded beaches.
Major reconstruction of the city’s infrastructure, though, still lies ahead and local residents fear it might affect their interests.
According to the reconstruction plan, a road leading to Krasnaya Polyana – one of the main Olympic venues – has to be expanded. But people who live here want to know how and when the construction will take place as what scares them the most is the uncertainty.
“People are scared to stay without their homes. No one wants to exchange a house of their own for an apartment. Nobody will give up better for worse. Most of all I’m worried about my kids, as their future is connected with this house with this family,” says Margarita Bodalyan, a local resident.
Local authorities, meanwhile, are ready to soothe these fears.
“We will do our best to minimise the scale of demolition work and to place Olympic facilities so they do not affect houses and grounds. Maybe 15 or 20 houses, that’s not much compared to the scale of construction. Financial compensation will be paid or new accommodation will be provided according to the law,” asserts Aleksandr Tkachev, Governor of the Krasnodar region.
Sochi’s plague is illegal construction: a garage on the initial plan can turn out to be a seven-storey private hotel.
So the city has declared war on such cases. At the meeting with Sochi’s mayor and the governor of Krasnodar region President Vladimir Putin warned them to give such cases careful attention.
“I want you to talk to people, taking into account their needs. All demands of the citizens must be satisfied. Let’s not forget about people’s interests,” said President Putin.
To protect these interests the government is going to adopt the 'Olympic Law' that will oversee these developments. And people hope that while implementing an Olympic plan their plans will also be taken into account.