Sofia Municipal Council advances Vitosha Mountain lift plans

The Sofia Municipal Council has moved forward with steps to restore lift infrastructure on Vitosha Mountain by authorizing the development of detailed urban plans for the ‘Knyazhevo’ and ‘Aleko Zayaka’ lines. Deputy Mayor Lyubomir Georgiev clarified that this decision does not signal the immediate start of construction, but rather initiates a formal procedure requiring coordination with various state institutions, ministries, and agencies.

The project has faced scrutiny from the Sofia Regional Governor, Yoveline Tihova, who previously returned decisions regarding the ‘Aleko 1’ and ‘Knyazhevo-Kopitoto’ lines. The primary concerns involve the lack of preliminary environmental assessments, necessary compliance with the Forestry Act, and potential contradictions with the existing management plan for Vitosha Nature Park, which allows for repairs but restricts the construction of entirely new facilities.

In response to these regulatory hurdles, the Sofia Municipality has submitted documentation to the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIOSV) to determine the required environmental assessment procedures. Council President Tsvetomir Petrov defended the move, stating that the city must transition from promises to concrete actions to restore mountain access.