It's Like Ordering an Airplane and Saying We Don't Need the Tail: Pashinyan

The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (TCAI) proposes allocating funds for the reconstruction of several road segments, projects, expert evaluations, transportation facilities, as well as completed facilities. This was announced by TCAI Minister Gnel Sanosyan on September 5 during a government meeting.

“The amount being redistributed is 3.4 billion drams, which includes 8 rebuilding facilities, 3 transport facilities, 3 projects, and 5 facilities that have been completed and need to be paid,” he said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, for his part, stated, “Our policy is as follows, and it is the right policy; we essentially postpone road reconstruction until the point where the road can somewhat serve. But it is also very important that when that line is crossed, the time for reconstruction has arrived, and we must ensure the normal passability of those roads in some interim manner.”

According to the government leader, it is also crucial that when designing rural roads, road markings must be included. “All roads that are in good condition, including in rural areas, should be marked. I believe and see that this will be a significant change in the atmosphere because it reflects the attitude towards people. This is also part of the change in education and socio-psychology. I hope that we will not have any road without markings, especially newly reconstructed, moderately reconstructed, or fully reconstructed roads. You look and see it is a normal straight asphalt, but there is no impression that it is a new road. In other words, we must pay attention to external appearance. I ask to exclude such cases where we do not anticipate markings in the project. What exists without that is not a road, let’s put another name on it – a path. It’s like ordering an airplane and saying we don’t need the tail; it can fly without a tail – it doesn’t work like that,” the Prime Minister added.

It is also noted that within the scope of the redistributed funds, the 11.9-kilometer segment of the road from Spitak to Vanadzor will be renovated, which is expected to be completed this year, as well as the renovation of the bridge over the Hrazdan River on the road from Nor Hachn to Abovyan.