---
title: "Ceban tightens permits as heating utility digs up roads "
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/84659/ceban-tightens-permits-as-heating-utility-digs-up-roads
published: 2026-09-08T14:24:42Z
language: en
author: "Ana Cebotari"
section: "Economic"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Ceban tightens permits as heating utility digs up roads 

> Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban demanded stricter excavation permits on Monday, accusing municipal heating supplier Termoelectrica of damaging newly rehabilitated roadways during uncoordinated underground pipeline interventions across the capital.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/f527920f-8ba9-4fc2-be85-9f4cc4610f5a.jpg)

Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban demanded stricter excavation permits on Monday, accusing municipal heating supplier Termoelectrica of damaging newly rehabilitated roadways during uncoordinated underground pipeline interventions across the capital.

The mayor argued that municipal road improvements are repeatedly undermined when utility crews excavate surfaces shortly after resurfacing work finishes. Ceban highlighted several recently refurbished arteries affected by excavations, including Mircea cel Bătrân Boulevard, Moscova Boulevard, Socoleni Street, Kiev Street, Tudor Vladimirescu Street, and Mezon Park.

**Mounting municipal frustration**

*“I understand when emergencies occur, but when a site is rehabilitated with new asphalt, paving, and green spaces, and Termoelectrica destroys them in every area, I believe this is done in bad faith,”* said Ceban during the municipal operational meeting on September 7.

The mayor noted that post-repair disruptions erode public trust, as residents often attribute damaged surfaces to municipal mismanagement. *“People do not understand that the intervention belongs to Termoelectrica, and they assume we are out of our minds: laying down asphalt only to ruin it immediately,”* noted Ceban.

Moving forward, city authorities plan to impose rigorous coordination protocols on underground works. *“From today onward, interventions anywhere will be permitted only under strict conditions, without debate or compromises,”* said the mayor. *“I will demand mandatory public notification several days prior to work, informative sign boards with clear timelines, compliant construction fencing, and the complete restoration of affected roadways, sidewalks, or parks at the company's expense.”*

**Utility cites regulatory mandates**

Termoelectrica rejected allegations of arbitrary or negligent excavations, asserting that all interventions address critical technical realities across ageing underground thermal infrastructure.

*“Intervening on a heating network is not a discretionary measure when the technical condition of the infrastructure demands it,”* said Olga Sturhetcaia, Termoelectrica's spokesperson, to Teleradio-Moldova. *“Termoelectrica has a legal obligation to maintain networks in proper working order and ensure their operation and repair.”*

The utility noted that scheduled pipeline modernisations stem directly from annual investment programs approved by the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), which remain publicly accessible. Furthermore, company representatives emphasised that approved operational budgets already allocate financial resources for surface repaving.

*“The investment plan includes funds for repaving and restoring asphalt damaged during interventions,”* explained Sturhetcaia. *“Unplanned works remain exceptions driven by emergencies or technical faults that cannot be anticipated, where the company is legally obligated to act swiftly to prevent severe damage and restore heating supplies.”*

To avoid institutional friction, Termoelectrica advocated for improved procedural channels with local authorities. *“We need a functional mechanism for periodic information exchange regarding investment and repair programs, swift notification of urgent interventions, and joint site inspections to coordinate work phases and surface restoration,”* concluded Sturhetcaia, reiterating the utility's commitment to cooperative municipal planning.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**
***
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