The Cypriot government intends to invest huge sums in the development of its mountainous region.
This was recently announced by the President of the island state, Nicos Christodoulidis.
In particular, he said that more than 20 different projects will be carried out in Troodos in the near future. Their total cost will exceed 30 million euros. Christodoulidis stressed that a major priority of the current government is the development of various sectors in the mountainous region of the island, from health to education. Some of the most important projects already underway or to be launched soon in Troodos include
The opening of the Pulmonology Department at Troodos Hospital (the project has been completed and the first patients will be admitted from the first of November);
- Increasing the number of all-day optional schools;
- Subsidising the transport of children to and from school in remote mountain areas;
- Construction and upgrading of sports centres.
The President also announced the creation of an Agricultural Land Bank to help find abandoned land and give it a second life. Much attention will be paid to the implementation of measures to combat fires and extreme weather events. As part of this initiative, a €4.5 million heliport will be built in Troodos in the Maratassa Valley and a €1.1 million fire station in Eptagonia. Tenders for these projects will be launched in 2025. Later, fire stations will also be built in Pedoulas and Pachna.
The Cypriot leader noted that €10 million has been allocated for the implementation of renewable energy in Troodos, while more than €7 million has been allocated for smart irrigation systems. Gradually, the government intends to implement a comprehensive programme to improve transport infrastructure, including the construction of additional roads from major urban centres to various villages in the mountainous area.
Finally, Christodoulidis said that a project is underway to install fibre-optic connections to even the most remote villages in the countryside, which is expected to be completed by 2025, facilitating access to digital and communication services.