Because construction of the heating pipeline was blocked with activists’ agreement, all of Teremky risk freezing this winter – KMDA

Work on building the backup heating pipeline to the Teremky residential area in Kyiv resumed after a pause of about one and a half months. During that time the project was revised to preserve trees. This was reported at a briefing by acting first deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration (KMDA) Petro Panteleiev, the KMDA website reported.

"A month and a half ago we suspended the work, held about 10 different meetings, which were mostly open in format. We searched together for alternative options, involving scientists and experts. However, the situation in Teremky has not moved toward a constructive outcome. The request from the community at the start to preserve the trees has been fulfilled. The project was optimized specifically to preserve green plantings. And if to continue the project it had been planned to remove up to 200 trees, now it is 5–10 trees, no more. Some green plantings are only being pruned. At the same time, Kyivteploenergo must continue the work, because almost two months have already been lost, and the deadlines for their completion remain critically tight," Panteleiev said.

According to Panteleiev, the revised heating pipeline project is now being implemented, which foresees preserving almost all green plantings. Since work resumed, he asserts, not a single green planting has been harmed.

Panteleiev also said that further blocking of the work could leave Teremky without backup heating supply in winter.

"At the same time we must take into account the interests of residents who expect stable heating in winter. Last heating season Teremky had serious heating problems: after heavy shelling people were left without heat for a long time. Therefore completing this work before the start of the heating season is extremely important," Panteleiev emphasized.

He said the municipal enterprise Kyivteploenergo is implementing a backup heating supply project in Teremky for almost 200 residential buildings and other structures. The project passed state examination and is one of the measures in the energy resilience plan. Panteleiev noted that it is not related to commercial construction.

Law enforcement officers and representatives of the Municipal Guard are also working at the construction site. According to Panteleiev, their task is to ensure public order at the construction site.

"We are ready to respond and argue the project in detail, however, we count on a constructive approach from the residents’ activists as well," he concluded.