Significant Inconveniences Arise: What Issues Will Kanakerravan Face Due to Community Mergers?

Residents of the Kanakerravan community in the Kotayk region are concerned about the government's initiative to amend the law on the administrative-territorial division of the Republic of Armenia. For many years, Kanakerravan has been connected to the town of Yeghvard, providing residents with necessary amenities. However, due to the recent administrative changes, Kanakerravan will now be merged with the town of Nor Hajin.

Local residents have reported that if their village merges with Nor Hajin, they will face several issues, primarily related to public transportation and the functioning of government offices.

In a conversation with Auroranews, local resident Karine Siradeghyan expressed that they do not oppose the government’s decision regarding mergers; however, she believes the decision lacks proper consideration and creates inconveniences for the residents of Kanakerravan.

“We are not against mergers, but we are accustomed to having all our matters connected to Yeghvard. Let's also consider that there are very few people heading to Hajin, while many are headed to Yerevan. Depending on our direction, people pick us up from the road and take us to Yeghvard or Yerevan,” she noted.

If, as a result of the merger, Kanakerravan joins Nor Hajin, the journey for residents will double in length. There is a short connecting road from Kanakerravan to Yeghvard, known as Aragil, which links the Yeghvard and Kanakerravan communities.

According to Ms. Karine, residents usually conduct their personal affairs with government offices in Yeghvard, where everything is registered. Now, they will face the challenge of reaching Nor Hajin for administrative issues, which could become a “headache” for them.

“We understand that transportation will be created, but this transport will operate at specific hours. Look, people are supposed to wait a long time and travel farther to reach Hajin, even though Yeghvard is so close to us,” our interlocutor stated.

The population of the Kanakerravan community is 3,956, with around 1,500 already joining a petition against the merger.

It is important to note that on September 24, an extraordinary session of the National Assembly was convened at the initiative of the government, during which the draft amendment to the law on the administrative-territorial division of the Republic of Armenia was discussed for the first and second readings. The bill proposes the merging of 69 communities in Aragatsotn province, 105 in Ararat, 82 in Armavir, 62 in Gegharkunik, 43 in Lori, 30 in Kotayk, 40 in Shirak, 5 in Vayots Dzor, and 3 in Tavush. As a result of the mergers, a total of 37 communities will be formed.

The changes are reportedly motivated by the ongoing merger process that began in 2016 and has yet to conclude. Since February 14, 2016, a total of 54 merged communities have been established out of 486 communities in the country. After the approval of the law changes, new extraordinary elections for community councils will be scheduled in the newly formed communities. According to the CEC's decision, local elections will be held on October 17, November 14, and December 5 of this year.