The problem with the modernization of the facilities on the territory of the Nature Park “Vitosha“ comes under public attention and is politicized once again. Again, no solutions are proposed for the clear problems identified by all institutions. Whenever another facility stops, due to its moral and physical wear and tear, this dispute resumes, baseless accusations against “Vitosha Ski” AD, that it could but did not want to modernize the facilities, solutions are drawn and after a while everything is forgotten. Until next time.
How the facilities should be modernized is more than clear:
1. The state should ensure a regulatory environment that fully allows modernization
2. The investor to realize the investment
3. The relevant authorities should accept it and put it into operation
This is stated in the official position of the company "Vitosha Ski", which is the owner of the Simeon lift. After it became known that the lift was finally stopping, former and current rulers of Sofia began to accuse each other.
Here is more from the company's position:
It is not rational to maintain long-depreciated facilities with repairs, which, under the necessary regulatory environment, can be replaced with the most modern ones to be used by Sofia residents and guests of the city. The Metropolitan Municipality also came to this conclusion. It should be recalled that by decision of the Metropolitan Municipal Council, an external company was hired to provide an opinion on one of the facilities. BGN 50,000 was paid from the municipal budget and the conclusion is the same - a new facility must be installed. For this reason, the Bulgarian court at two instances annulled as illegal the order of the Chief Architect of the Metropolitan Municipality to repair the "Knyazhevo-Kopitoto" cabin lift.
„Vitosha ski“ as an owner and investor, he has declared his readiness to modernize the facilities and the reason why this is not happening are the two problems in the regulatory environment - the Law on Forests adopted in 2012 and the current and not updated management plan of the "Vitosha" PP. All interdepartmental working groups, round tables, etc. confirmed this. But so far nothing has been done about it, for which we are not to blame.
Besides the general problem with the regulatory environment, there are also a number of relatively small problems, for the solution of which we are abandoned by the institutions:
- while the facilities are managed by the Metropolitan Municipality, no spare parts were purchased from the manufacturing companies
- all the electronics of the Simeonovsky lift have been replaced with pirated ones.
- irreparable damage to facilities
What we have been doing in recent years is to support their lives. The company paid about BGN 6,000,000 for their maintenance. But no matter how much you keep a technique going, sooner or later it stops working. If anyone thinks they can bring her back to life, we are willing to use their expertise and knowledge for a fee – as we have already publicly issued such an invitation, including to the specialists who develop the theses of endless repairs - but no one responded.
Replacement will be difficult for yet other reasons that are being glossed over:
- Illegal restitution has been carried out in the territory of the facilities and, despite the available functioning facility, the land under it has been restituted in certain parts. Not only was it restituted, but no restrictions were imposed on the new owners.
- The routes under the Simeonovsky lift are built up, fenced off, interrupted, easily flammable materials accumulate. Already with the acquisition of “Rope lines“ We signaled to EAD that the route under the Simeonovsky lift is interrupted by a four-meter retaining wall. For fourteen years now, no one has bothered to answer us.
- Buildings were built around the lift, which make it impossible to observe the distances stipulated in the regulations. The cabins are in critical proximity to these buildings.
- Let's recall the incident from a few years ago, when illegal cables under the route of the Simeon lift hooked one of the cabins. Fortunately, this resulted in no casualties. Then we alerted the Metropolitan Municipality and DNSK and we are still waiting for a response.
There are many problems and they can be solved. As long as there is a will on the part of the state to solve them. This will unblock the process. We reiterate our willingness to invest in their modernization. This can only be done if it is legal – i.e. after ensuring the necessary regulatory environment. And at the moment this process is blocked.
We appeal to all politicians - approach statesmanship, solve the problems created in the regulatory environment so that access to the mountain can be restored. And by doing this, you will show that you really want it. The people want it - hear their voice.