Illegal construction and "Hemus": What is the state planning?
Regional Minister Ivan Shishkov stated categorically that the state does not have the resources to remove illegal construction on a large scale. According to him, the solution lies in legislative changes that would allow for "tolerance" only regarding engineering infrastructure, following a thorough safety inspection.
"The state cannot afford to demolish illegal construction on such a scale. We have proposed that the provisions for tolerance apply only to engineering infrastructure," the minister commented.
Halted indexations and protection of public interest
Shishkov also touched upon the topic of construction contract indexation, emphasizing that his actions are aimed at protecting the state budget. He revealed that he had halted a methodology from the previous government that aimed to double-pay advances from 2018-2019.
The future of the "Hemus" motorway
The minister outlined a clear plan for completing the key motorway:
- Completion of construction up to the 9th lot (Veliko Tarnovo).
- New design for the 7th and 8th lots.
- Concentration on filling in the "open gaps" along the route.
Regarding threats of lawsuits from former regional ministers, Shishkov remains adamant, stating that the ministry will be uncompromising towards all discovered irregularities in road construction.