Pashinyan urges action on Yerevan, Gyumri roads

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said serious attention must be given to both Yerevan and Gyumri, addressing traffic congestion and road conditions during a briefing.

He also stated that Yerevan’s former mayor and Gyumri’s local authorities had, openly or covertly, acted against the government, according to 1lurer.am .

Pashinyan noted that when it comes to traffic congestion, it is important to understand that every city has limitations related to the number of vehicles, and that both driver awareness and timely decision-making are necessary. He added that a working group has already been formed to address the issue.

Speaking about road construction, the prime minister said that roads outside Gyumri’s administrative boundaries are in good condition, which he said reflects effective management. At the same time, he criticized municipal authorities, stating that in some cases they did not act in the community’s interests and failed to utilize state programs.

“Even after the revolution, since 2018, there has been municipal аuthorities in Gyumri that, directly or indirectly, openly or covertly, acted against the government, and we see the result.

The same applies to Yerevan. Unfortunately, after the 2018 elections, the իշխանություն formed under our party and the mayor, directly or indirectly, in various ways, followed their own agendas—and today we see the consequences,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister added that a program has been approved to asphalt streets in Gyumri’s Ani and Austrian districts, taking into account existing problems. He also stressed that responsibility for community roads largely lies with local authorities.

Regarding the condition of Yerevan’s roads, Pashinyan said he had instructed Mayor Tigran Avinyan to find quick solutions, noting that weather conditions also affect the pace of work.

“I gave instructions back in February to take the necessary measures in Yerevan to at least solve the current problem. Weather conditions are a major obstacle, as asphalt cannot be laid in rainy conditions,” he said.

In conclusion, the prime minister reiterated the need for serious efforts in both cities.

“We must seriously deal with both Yerevan and Gyumri, because people are not to blame if someone comes to power under the banner of revolution and then pursues other agendas, while others take community leadership positions and imagine themselves as something else instead of addressing local issues. And then they turn on a fountain we built with the song ‘Dolya Vorovskaya.’ Now I hope that song is playing morning and evening,” Pashinyan said.

Gyumri’s mayor is currently under arrest.