It gets warmer in Tskhinval

One third of Tskhinval has already been connected to gas supply. It was stated by "Energetika" republican state association (RSA) CEO Alan Gabaraev on January 30.

"For now, - he is quoted by the State committee for information and press of South Ossetia, - gas supply is partially restored in northern, north-western and south-western parts of Tskhinval".

According to Gabaraev the specialists keep checking gas pipes in every house as a lot of damage caused by Georgia's aggression was revealed. "The defects are fixed very quickly. We received pipes as humanitarian aid and we have enough of work material", - he assured.

Thus more citizens of the republic's capital benefit from normal winter living that was interrupted in August because of gas supplies cut-off by Georgia.

Gas supplies were resumed on January 25 when the fuel arrived at Tskhinval gas distributing station. On that day Irakli Nikolaishvili, Itera Gruzia deputy CEO promised:

"Before the end of January the republic will receive half a million cubic meters of gas. In February this volume will be increased threefold or fourfold as necessary".

Indeed the tap was opened. But a few hours later an emergency happened: an accident on the Georgian part of the gas line resulted in interruption of supplies to South Ossetia. Suspicions again fell on the intriguing neighbor but before evening the problem was resolved: the defect was cured and the gas was flowing the right way.

However the consumers did not get it all at once. It would be naïve to believe that following so many months of gas main line disability the heat would have flown right to the homes of consumers though the checking of gas communications inside the city and necessary repair work had been started beforehand. However the war had brought so much damage that the main part of the facilities - social ones (first a bread-baking factory, then hospitals, nurseries, schools etc) could receive heat only two-three days later. That was what HR Plenipotentiary to SO President David Sanakoev was saying in his interview with RIA Novosti on January 27:

"Now pipeline purging and adaptation is underway and the gas has not reached the consumers yet".

Now, we repeat, heating is provided to already a third of the city. Or only a third. That is why the gas distributing station is operating at minimum capacity.

Back to the social facilities it is satisfying to state the heat is turned on at full volume there.

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