Foul Odor and Several Tons of Garbage in the Center of Yerevan

While Yerevan Mayor Hrachya Saroyan and the heads of administrative districts take turns declaring that they will combat unpleasant odors in every corner of the capital, residents passing by a half-built structure at 36 Saryan Street must wear gas masks.

According to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan, the area has been privatized by an individual who considers their responsibility finished as soon as the papers were signed. They seem disinterested, as do the municipal authorities and the head of the Central Administrative District, Samvel Gukasian, regarding the fact that this area has become not only a public toilet for local residents but also a dump for several tons of garbage, creating an unsanitary environment that suffocates people.

In civilized countries, local representatives would not only enforce cleanliness on the property owner but would also impose hefty fines that would make them regret allowing such disarray in their privatized area for the rest of their lives.

In a conversation with the photojournalist, residents of that area expressed their frustration: “This situation has persisted for several years. We don’t know who will clean up or be held accountable. We have no hope that the relevant authorities will take any action. Who has seen such a state in the city center? If the representatives of the municipal and local authorities showed even a little concern, this situation would not exist.”