Armenia to repair railway in flood-hit areas with Russian assistance, says PM

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said his country agreed with Russian partners to repair the railway in the flood-hit areas as soon as possible.

Pashinyan made the remarks at a government session on May 30, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

According to him, the relevant agreement was reached at the meeting of Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan with the leadership of Russian Railways.

Before the press conference, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan said that cargoes by railway will be able to enter Armenia at Ayrum station on the border with Georgia. From there the goods will be transported by lorries. They will approach the station via a defunct railway bridge, unaffected by the floods. This bridge used to serve the cannery in Ayrum village. After the disaster, it was decided to remove the railway tracks and allow trucks to use the bridge.

Speaking about the damage to the railway tracks, Sanosyan noted that about 2 kilometres were damaged in different sections of the railway line between Ayrum and Sanahin stations (earlier he mentioned the figure of 2.5 kilometres). The damage is quite serious and will require some time.

The railway needs to be restored on the Georgian side as well, the work will last until Tuesday, the minister said.