Кyiv residents and city authorities have preliminarily agreed to seek alternative routes for laying the controversial heating pipeline in the Teremky district. They set a two-week deadline for this search. The public insists on preserving the green zone, which has already begun to be cleared for the utility line, yet the authorities do not inspire confidence that an alternative route can be found.
This was reported by the media outlet “Suspilne” following a meeting between representatives of the city and district administrations and local residents.
Why the tree cutting?
About a hundred local residents attended the meeting. They demanded clarification on why the authorities had not sought another path and decided to run the heating pipeline through the green area. People requested to see the permitting and project documentation.
“We want the heating pipeline to go another way. Of course, we support the pipeline, as the city needs it. But why did they suddenly start building it through the forest belt? No one knows. That’s why we want answers to these questions,” said Teremky resident Nataliya Solovyova.
The woman claims the community has never seen any documents clarifying the authorities’ questionable decision.
The authorities’ response
Petro Panteleyev, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA), told participants that the heating network is being constructed as a backup option. It is needed in case of possible emergencies in the heat supply system.
The choice of the current route, which has sparked outrage and protests, is allegedly dictated by the presence of existing underground utilities.
As a reminder, earlier Panteleyev stated that it is impossible to lay the pipeline along Teremkivska Street due to existing sewer infrastructure, as well as electric cables and water supply lines. According to him, currently, there is no other approved project.
However, an engineer representing the community presented a possible alternative. Within two weeks, experts are to review this proposal and other options. There is still no certainty as to whether the route may be changed.
The fate of the green spaces
Starting Monday, tree felling in Teremky has been suspended.
“We understand the concerns of those opposed to removing green plantings, and we would certainly not do this if it weren’t necessary. For now, work at this site has been suspended to allow for full communication, and we are trying to find a solution that would both prepare for the winter season and preserve as much of the vegetation as possible,” Panteleyev said.
He also added that the felled wood is being transported to the site of the municipal enterprise of the Holosiiv district.
The city authorities declare that after the work is finished, landscaping will be restored. In particular, this involves planting trees and shrubs. Earlier, Panteleyev confirmed that planting trees directly next to the heating pipeline is prohibited by regulations.
Source: Suspilne
However, residents are demanding at least some assurances. They are calling for a moratorium on tree felling until all alternative pipeline routes have been properly considered.
EcoPolitic reported that due to the construction of a heating pipeline, more than 660 trees are subject to removal, including some over 100 years old. Activists claim that the regulatory basis for these environmentally harmful actions was a government resolution that allowed the disregard of restrictions in the implementation of allegedly critically important projects. According to experts, this may provoke a wave of deforestation across Ukraine.
