The large-scale modernization project of Georgian Railways [GR] has been completed. This is not merely an infrastructure upgrade; it is a clear political and strategic choice made by Georgia to secure its future, strengthen its economic resilience, and establish a decent place in global processes. It was stated by Prime Minister of Georgia while speaking at an event dedicated to the completion of the Georgian Railways modernization project.

Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized the historic significance of the modernization of GR and spoke about the unprecedented scale of works carried out under the project.

"Railways have always been a vital pillar of Georgia"s statehood, economy and connectivity. Over 10 000 railwaymen are working tirelessly to build Georgia"s future. Founded in 1872, GR, 153 years later, is entering a new phase-one that meets the challenges of the 21st century, modern technological standards and the new realities of global trade. Within the framework of the project, new bridges and tunnels were constructed, more than 100 engineering structures were built, approximately 100 km of new track were laid and safety systems meeting international standards were installed. This is one of the largest investments ever made in Georgia’s transport sector. With the completion of this project, the capacity of GR has increased significantly, operating costs have been reduced, safety has been enhanced and passenger comfort has improved. We have created infrastructure that serves not only today"s economy, but tomorrow’s as well”, - said the Prime Minister.

He also highlighted Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor, noting that amid ongoing geopolitical and economic transformations, as global supply chains are being reshaped, the importance of safe, predictable and reliable transport routes is increasing.

“In this context, Georgia’s role must be reinforced by deliberate and strategic decisions. This policy is reflected in the initiatives of the Government of Georgia, including the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, railway modernization and East-West road infrastructure. Our future lies in our intermodal transit function, which integrates all modes of transport into a single ecosystem. Digitalization of logistics processes, which is actively underway, is also crucial in this regard. The Middle Corridor is not merely an alternative route; it represents a new standard for connectivity between Europe and Asia. Our goal is for Georgia to become a key, reliable and indispensable link in this corridor-a country that ensures fast, safe and uninterrupted movement of goods. Railway modernization is an integral part of this vision. It strengthens our competitiveness, increases our transit potential and creates a solid foundation for accommodating the growing trade flows between Europe and Asia in the coming years. The task of our government is to ensure that the Middle Corridor ultimately becomes the most reliable, secure and efficient corridor in the region. We are actively working on optimizing railway operational processes, eliminating existing administrative barriers and digitalizing services, which will reduce travel time on the Tbilisi-Batumi route by 30 minutes by the summer season of 2026”, - stated Irakli Kobakhidze.

He expressed profound gratitude to everyone involved in the implementation of the railway modernization project, noting that it is through such steps that a better future for Georgia is being built.

The importance of the railway modernization project was also addressed by Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili and General Director of Georgian Railways Lasha Abashidze. The event was attended by representatives of Georgia’s executive, legislative and local authorities.