Mandatory Gas Cylinder Inspection System Not Working as Planned: Minister

The mandatory gas cylinder inspection system is not functioning as intended. This was stated by Gnel Sanosyan, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, during a press conference at the National Assembly.

The reason, according to the minister, is that gas filling stations are not conducting inspections properly. He noted, “Some organizations have opened these inspection stations, but they are not making any money because drivers are not going for inspections. They do not go for inspections because the gas station does not require documentation. Once gas stations stop refueling vehicles that have not passed inspection, drivers will wake up and go for inspections,” said the minister.

The minister assured that the government continues to take practical steps to resolve this issue, stating that from October 24 to November 4, inspection specialists visited 173 stations, inspected 1,520 vehicles, and compiled 234 reports. He added, “The fine for one vehicle is 200,000 drams, and it is not only the owner of the vehicle that gets fined but also the gas filling station. There are stations where five vehicles were fined at once. Thus far, we have a total of 80 million drams in fines. We have agreed with our inspection colleagues to continue the process until the gas filling stations come to their senses and require the necessary documentation.”

It is worth noting that according to a government decision, as of August 1, gas cylinders installed or certified by unauthorized organizations should not be refueled.