Paphos to Polis Chrysochous road project faces further delays following tender cancellation

The Ministry of Transport in Cyprus has officially cancelled the latest tender process for the construction of the Paphos – Polis Chrysochous road. Minister Evi Tsolaki confirmed that the decision was unanimous, following the receipt of two bids amounting to €124 million and €128 million, which were deemed financially unadvantageous. This development marks another setback for the project, which dates back to the 1970s and remains a significant point of concern for local residents and authorities.

Political figures, including former Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos and former DISY president Averof Neophytou, have criticized the handling of the project. Karousos highlighted that the original contract with INTRAKAT, valued at €73 million, was terminated in November 2024, leading to a surge in estimated costs to €141 million, alongside €16 million in uncollected bank guarantees. Critics argue that terminating public contracts repeatedly drives up costs and causes extensive delays.

Moving forward, the Ministry is exploring alternative implementation methods to ensure the completion of the road. Despite the current impasse, officials state that the government remains committed to moving the project forward, although no specific timeline has been provided for the next phase of procurement.