Chechen authorities promise to open ski resort "Veduchi" in three years; residents want more factories

It is planned to finish construction of the ski resort "Veduchi", which was launched in 2011 in the mountainous Itum-Kalin District of Chechnya, in 2014. As reported by the office of the leader and the government of Chechnya, the ski resort will be an all-season one, and the ski routes will suit all categories of sports fans. Not all local residents support the idea of building a ski resort in Chechnya, claiming that the republic needs to recover its industrial potentials more.

"The Alpine Ski Resort 'Veduchi', launched in construction in the Itum-Kalin District last year, will be fully commissioned within three years to come. Tentatively, its construction will cost 14.5 billion roubles. A loan of up to 10.2 billion roubles will be granted by the Russian 'Vnesheconombank'. There are also other investors who are willing to invest into this project," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by a source from the above office.

According to his story, the ski resort "Veduchi" plans to build a hotel complex of 400 rooms, ski lifts and routes, which originate at an altitude of 3500 meters. There will be four categories of routes. "These are the so-called 'green' route for beginners, four 'blue' ones and eleven most popular among skiers 'red' routes. Also, for fans of extreme descent three 'black' routes will be prepared," says the source.

The ski resort will also include a small settlement of 20 mountain chalets, provided with a spa complex, a network of cafes and restaurants, an outdoor skating rink and an equestrian riding hall. The complex under construction will operate all year round, since climatic conditions allow operating the routes from November to April.

Not all residents of the republic are positive to the idea of building a ski resort in Chechnya, noting that the authorities should better concentrate their efforts on restoring the republic's industrial potentials, not on implementing the projects that can bring profits only to a small group of people.

"After two wars our republic has almost no large enterprises or factories," said Saikhan T., a resident of Chechnya, who had once worked for one of the local ministries. He also noted the mass unemployment in the republic.

"There's practically no economy here, but we keep building all these high rise 'Grozny-City', ski resorts, recreation centres and the like. People need enterprises, where they can work and earn money, rather than the place where they could spend it. Nobody needs entertainments instead of bread," said Saikhan.

He was supported by a leader of one of local NGOs, who, however, asked not to name him.

"The current authorities love to demonstrate their achievements, like the largest mosques in Europe, the complex of high-rise buildings in Grozny, Gudermes and Argun, entertainment centres and everything else, which is no need to ordinary citizens. People need jobs, and only then – entertainment and recreation centres," said the leader.