Vodno urban plan sparks controversy in Centar Municipality

Biljana Ivanolska, former president of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption and mayoral candidate for the Centar Municipality, has criticized the proposed Detailed Urban Plan (DUP) for the Barutana area on Mount Vodno. She described the plan as harmful and unacceptable, arguing that it ignores the historical importance of Vodno's forests, which were originally planted to prevent flooding.

Critics and local residents have raised concerns regarding safety and environmental risks, including potential soil erosion, landslides, and flash floods. A petition has been circulated by residents demanding the plan be withdrawn to prevent new construction in forested areas and to preserve existing hiking paths. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding traffic congestion and a lack of parking for new developments.

The controversy follows a decision by VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM councilors to vote in favor of the plan, while opposition groups such as ‘Shansa za Centar’, Levica, and ZNAM voted against it. Mayor Goran Gerasimovski has requested a public apology from the ‘Shansa za Centar’ group, alleging unprofessional behavior during the public presentation of the plan.