Kaladze Calls for "Tighter Regulations" Related to Gas in Tbilisi
After seven people were killed in Tbilisi today from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, Mayor Kakha Kaladze responded to a journalist's question on whether KazTransGas Tbilisi had been monitoring the apartment since the deaths, saying "Of course, we need tighter regulations. I will find it difficult to answer this question as I am not the employee of “KazTransGas Tbilisi” company."
It is unclear whether Kaladze was referring to regulations that City Hall announced just over a week ago after two people died from natural gas intoxication in Varketili on January 21 and the January 17 gas-linked explosion in Didi Dighomi that killed four and injured eight people, or whether Kaladze will propose additional regulations. On January 22, Deputy Economy Minister Natia Turnava has announced that gas regulations will become stricter to ensure the safety of Georgian consumers. “The gasification [of Georgia] is a priority but it should be developed in accordance with safety standards,” said Turnava.
Construction and installation requirements for gas companies will become stricter with the aim of providing safer gas, including the mandatory installation of gas detectors in residential buildings. Moreover, the population will be better informed about safe gas consumption.
By Samantha Guthrie
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