Tbilisi Mayor Rak Kaldza called the growing number of cars in the capital a "growing problem" that cannot be tackled by building overpasses. He allowed strict restrictions to be introduced for drivers - up to paid entry to certain areas and cars entering the roads every other day with even and odd license plates.
He made the corresponding statements in an interview with Imidi TV channel.
According to the mayor, in 2026 facts were recorded in Tbilisi when 900,000 cars moved simultaneously around the city during rush hour. According to the latest census, a total of 1.3 million people live in the capital of Georgia.
Caldza denies that dedicated bus lanes, which, in addition to public transportation, are also used by taxis, scooters and motorcycles, are among the causes of traffic jams.
According to Kaldza, the problem of traffic jams stems from "dependence on cars and their number".
He noted that there are no solutions yet, but he named several scenarios as possible alternatives used in other countries:
Traffic according to numbers every other day: In response to the presenter's comment about traffic restrictions in even and odd numbers, the mayor replied:
"Let's take this as an example, but when we make a specific decision, everyone must understand it. For example, if we want to solve this problem, we can agree on that too - so that for certain days, cars with odd or even number plates will be allowed."
Paid entry:
"Or in specific areas we will install cameras and paid entry - as we have done in many European cities."
At the same time, Kaldeza said that such measures would require willingness from the city's residents themselves.
"But society also needs to be ready for it. It will not work out so that they say: "The municipality does nothing and there is a problem." No, we have to make a decision and everyone will have to be patient."