PM Pashinyan visits Syunik to review infrastructure and environmental programs

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Syunik Province to review completed and ongoing projects. According to his office, his first stop was the Vorotan–Khot highway, where he examined the reconstruction works on a 10.3 km section of the road. The total cost of the project exceeds 4.198 billion drams.

The Prime Minister was informed that a natural landslide had occurred at the 8.7 km section of the road, causing delays in the project deadline. Pashinyan visited the affected area to inspect the damage.

It was noted that a two-layer asphalt concrete cover has already been laid along the first 7.2 km section from Khot to Vorotan (M-2), and the earthworks for a bypass section around the collapsed area have been completed.

During his working visit, the Prime Minister also reviewed state-subsidized programs in the city of Kapan.

A recreation area has been established in Kapan under a subsidy program. The total cost of the program was over 89 million drams, of which 49 million drams were allocated by the Government.

Additionally, a street lighting system was constructed along a 7.4 km stretch from the Kapan city tunnel to the middle of the Baghaberd district. The total cost of this project was 149 million drams, with the state contributing over 104 million drams.

Pashinyan also visited the renovated Kindergarten No. 1 in Kapan. The total cost of the renovation, carried out under a subsidy program, exceeded 377 million drams, with the Government covering more than 302 million drams (80% of the total). The kindergarten is designed for 170 children.

The Prime Minister took part in the launch ceremony of the Syunik Regional Department of the Eco-Patrol Service of the Ministry of Environment, held in Kapan.

In his address to representatives of the legislative, executive, and local self-government bodies, Eco-Patrol Service employees, and the residents of Kapan, Pashinyan congratulated them on the launch of the service.

“We have been discussing the introduction of this new institution for several years, and now it has become a reality in the Syunik region. I think this is a very important event. I want to emphasize that the reforms we are implementing are, above all, about a shift in attitude.”

The Prime Minister stressed that, alongside building infrastructure, cultivating a sense of responsibility is crucial.

“I want every employee of the Eco-Patrol Service—now equipped with a new structure, new tools, and new vehicles—to understand their responsibility to protect Armenia's forests for the citizens of our country,” he said, urging a change in attitudes toward trees, forests, nature, animals, and the environment.

“We must be consistent and principled, learn from our mistakes, and be accountable to our citizens and future generations,” Pashinyan added.

He also announced that Eco-Patrol Services will soon be established in all regions, ensuring round-the-clock forest protection.

In total, 22 "Isuzu D-Max" SUVs worth 331.8 million drams were purchased from the state budget. A total of 660.484 million drams was allocated for the creation of the Eco-Patrol Service, with international partners contributing over 64 million drams in additional support.

The Prime Minister was also briefed on the renovation of the Kapan site of the Syunik Regional Department of the Eco-Patrol Service.

In Kapan, Goris, and the settlement of Shvanidzor, three service sites were renovated, including the furnishing of weapons storage rooms and essential office equipment. The total cost of these renovations amounted to 70.419 million drams.