TO MARTUNI BUT NOT VIA AGHDAM
KarabakhOpen
03-04-2008 16:36:45
"This road will not be repaired unless the Karabakh issue is resolved,"
said our driver as we rode along the ruined road of Aghdam on the way
to Martuni. Both drivers and passengers have been complaining of the
state of this road for many years but nobody knows why the government
won’t repair it.
In the meantime, the road Karmir Shuka-Martuni is being repaired,
and according to Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan, the repair will end
in late 2009. The road runs across the villages of Sos, Chartar,
Khnushinak and Gishi. It is also foreseen to repair the road
Stepanakert-Nngi-Martuni. In fact, two roads connecting Stepanakert
and Martuni are being repaired. In addition, both are less comfortable
and secure than the road across Martuni.
Moreover, it is easier to get not only to Martuni but also to Chartar,
Berdashen, Nor Shen, Ashan, Yemishchan along this road. Besides,
it is easier to get to Hadrut.
In 2006 we asked the minister of urban planning then Marat Hakobjanyan
whether the road Stepanakert-Aghdam-Martuni is foreseen to repair. He
said the highway will be partly repaired up to Hadrut. "There is
already an arrangement to work out a project. Considering the length
of the road and the limited finance, every year we will repair sections
which are damaged most," said the minister.
This year 800 million drams has been allocated for repair and
maintenance of roads. It is foreseen to set up joint-stock companies
in the regions for the maintenance of roads.