VIDEO: A New Tunnel to Dilijan Will Be Constructed

The Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Kristine Ghalechyan, responded to a question from MP Arsen Torosyan of the ruling Civil Contract faction, stating that plans have been made to initiate new design works for two major tunnels. 'We are talking about the Pushkin and Dilijan tunnels; their conditions are not satisfactory from safety and other perspectives. We have utilized savings from loan programs and have commissioned an international designer for the design work,' she stated.

According to her, a decision has been made to completely restore the Pushkin tunnel: 'As for the Dilijan tunnel, we have also made an important decision to plan for a new construction.' Ghalechyan noted that the construction of both tunnels is planned to be carried out through international programs: 'We have adopted high standards; we will construct, reconstruct, and restore the tunnels according to EU tunnel safety directives and standards.'

The deputy minister indicated that a competition will be announced this year regarding the Pushkin tunnel, while the Dilijan tunnel issue will be addressed next year. 'We have already planned the expenditures for next year; these are among our priority programs.'