European partners and the Turkish contractor are willing to wait a while longer to begin construction of the wastewater treatment collector in Podgorica.
Aleksandar Nišavić, director of the Podgorica Waterworks, pointed out in "Colors of the Morning" on TV Vjesti that administrative procedures are nearing completion.
"Thanks to good relations with partners and the contractor from Turkey, there is understanding for our administrative deadlines so far. They are willing to wait a little longer, but it is not months, but days - an efficient solution is expected so that construction can begin," he said.
Nišavić explains that they are awaiting the final opinion of the Environmental Protection Agency, after they submitted an amendment to the impact assessment study. The commission requested additional clarifications on certain items, and Vodovod has already begun drafting responses and plans to submit them well before the scheduled 90-day deadline.
The new city administration is considering a location within the former KAP complex, which, it says, is potentially acceptable if an independent consultant assesses that it meets all environmental and technical criteria.
"If the land is not contaminated and if all standards are met, we are ready to implement the project at that location," says Nišavić, noting that they do not yet have data on ownership of the plot, but that it is an industrial zone.
When asked about the position of the residents of Botun, who had previously protested against the construction of the collector, Nišavić said that Vodovod was not directly involved in the negotiations. However, he recalled the technical solutions that were offered to accommodate the local community - relocating the outlet 1,5 km north, connecting Botun to the system and, in the future, the entire Zeta region.
"We hope that a solution will be found that will be in everyone's interest because this is an issue of national importance," he emphasizes.
After years of promises and protests from locals, Nišavić confirms that work on the construction of the primary pipeline in the Gornja Lješanska nahija will begin at the end of May.
"We understand the citizens' distrust, but we have presented all the permits and documentation - everything is ready. Primary works will last 90 days, and we can expect that part to be completed by the beginning of September," says the director of Vodovod.
Around 250 to 300 households will be connected to the network, while the network for 520 existing users is being upgraded in parallel. The projects include connecting the Kaluđerovo Oko spring and building a pumping station and reservoir on Kažića Glavica.
Work is also planned in Bratonožići, where the project documentation is ready. However, the challenges are great, he says, inaccessible terrain, high costs and modest income.
"The annual maintenance costs of village water systems are 650.000 euros, while only 120.000 are invoiced. That is a serious gap that the city covers," said Nišević, adding that the Lješanska nahija remains the most vulnerable zone.
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