During the visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Kalavryta on Tuesday, April 2, the Mayor of Kalavryta Thanasis Papadopoulos brought to his attention a series of issues claimed by the Municipality of Kalavryta, noting the need for the Greek Government to assist in their implementation.
As Mr. Papadopoulos mentioned, the role of the Local Government is to claim and cooperate with the aim of the well-being of the citizens, the quality of life, the development and the continuous adaptation of a Municipality to all the challenges and needs that accompany each era.
Among other things, Mr. Papadopoulos asked Mr. Mitsotakis questions such as:
In order to reverse the demographic shrinking of mountainous regions, the need to implement a Strategic Plan for Mountainousness with specific objectives. From the strengthening of Employment, tax and insurance incentives to social entrepreneurship, the strengthening of Tourism throughout the year, the armoring of all Health and Education structures, the support of farmers and breeders, the improvement of infrastructure (roads, digital et al.), i.e. the set of policy sectors that affect the daily life of the inhabitants of a mountainous region.
Regarding the road access of the Municipality, he pointed out that the entire area of the Municipality of Kalavryta has a big problem with the road network, that is, with the axes that connect the Municipality with the other areas.
And he particularly focused on the modernization of the connection between the Municipality of Kalavryton and Olympia Odos, via the Pountas-Kalavryton road. A road that is used daily by thousands of residents and visitors and which is very dangerous. “Here we need speed in decisions and securing all resources for immediate projects that will reduce the road’s dangerousness to zero. In the first phase, it is necessary to launch a study of 2 million euros so that in the shortest possible time we can reach the point of implementing every intervention that will be considered necessary for the modernization of the road”, noted Mr. Papadopoulos.
Regarding the Skiing, he reminded that the modernization project of the Center’s equipment, amounting to 22.6 million euros, is currently underway. A project implemented with funds from the Region of Western Greece. But other steps are also needed. The Region has made a proposal of 50 million euros for the Ski Center, in the National Projects of Strategic Importance section, and a relevant decision has been taken by the Government’s Major Projects Committee.
The aim is to transform the Ski Center into a tourist attraction all year round, the Mayor of Kalavryton pointed out.
And he added that this includes our other goals, such as:
-The annual Mountain Festival in Helmos that started last year in Hionodromiko – in June – with great success and with the participation of thousands of young people from all over Greece.
-The request that has been submitted to the Ministry of Tourism for the transformation of the Ski Resort into a Multi-Thematic Park of Four Seasons, with interventions amounting to 10 million euros.
-Also, another goal is to attract scientists and Conferences due to the international scientific interest presented by the “Aristarchos” Telescope in Helmos, the largest Telescope in the Balkans and the second largest in Europe. It has already been decided to build a Planetarium (in the former Student Center of Kalavryta). An infrastructure that will contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge in schools and to the wider public and will connect our region with “Aristarchus” and his international scientific recognition.
– The strengthening of the entire area of the Municipality of Kalavryta as a model tourist destination 365 days a year.
Then Mr. Papadopoulos raised the issue of the creation of a Modern Conference Center in Kalavryta, pointing out that it is necessary to mention that the Municipality of Kalavryta, despite the special character of the area, i.e. its historical and religious importance, its archaeological and environmental treasures, the Ski , the Aristarchus Telescope, the Caves of the Lakes, the Vouraikos Gorge, Ladon, nevertheless it does not have a modern Conference Center that will cover the needs of conference Tourism. This need can be met by utilizing also part of the facilities of the former Student Residence, an area of 3,500 square meters.
INEDIVIM has completed the required study, amounting to 300,000 euros, which it financed. What is needed now is to secure the resources, amounting to approximately 8 million euros, for the implementation of the project.
For the Cog Railway the question of recent problems on the line was raised. As a result, at this moment the routes have stopped. And this suspension of services, with each passing day, causes a huge economic and social impact on the region.
The need for a comprehensive project intervention is imperative in order to restore the complete safety of the railway line, said Mr. Papadopoulos, then raising the issue of the extension of Odontotos, at least in this phase towards the Holy Monastery of Agia Lavra.
For the Kalavryton Court of First Instance, Mr. Papadopoulos underlined the self-evident need to maintain it as a basic service structure for citizens.
In order to highlight the archaeological sites, the Mayor of Kalavryton stated that in the area there are two of the most important archaeological sites of the Peloponnese and Western Greece. Ancient Kleitoras, near Kleitoria and Ancient Psofida near Tripotamas. Emphasizing that the efforts that have gone before are great so that these two very important centers of Antiquity, parts of Ancient Azania, come to light in their entirety. Such a perspective will strengthen the touristic and cultural character of the Municipal Units of Kleitoria and Aroania and of course it will also be a practical fulfillment of our debt to the History and Culture of the region.
Regarding the Agricultural Dairy Cooperative, Mr. Papadopoulos emphasized that it is a model Cooperative that invests in the quality, tradition and high nutritional value of its products.
The Agricultural Dairy Cooperative of Kalavryta is a major financial donor for the entire region and one of the pillars that have helped the economic development and extroversion of the place. The Cooperative currently employs 150 staff and serves 1,300 livestock farmers. However, in order to serve livestock and agricultural production, as Mr. Papadopoulos added, it is necessary to launch two very important irrigation projects, with a total coverage of 15,000 acres, in the area of Ladon and the Seirea river. The resources, amounting to 15 million euros, can come from sectoral programs of the Ministry of Rural Development.
Regarding the German debts, Mr. Papadopoulos reiterated his firm position that the issue remains open and dominant. And as he mentioned here, the greatest war crime, the greatest atrocity of the German Occupation forces in Greece was committed and this crime -81 years later- has not yet been punished. The culprits have not paid their debts. And their debt, a legal, historical, political and moral debt, remains huge, permanent and indelible. Both to the homeland, on the occasion of the Occupancy Loan and the theft of the Archaeological and Cultural Treasures, and to our heroes, the victims and their descendants.
Instant update with all the news now and via WhatsApp – See here
#main #issues #raised #Prime #Minister #Mayor
