Vladimir Movsisyan: In the coming 2-3 years great volume of work will be carried out for the solution of all issues of Sevan

The President of Armenia and the government are very much concerned with the issues of Lake Sevan and found opportunities for solving them, head of the president-affiliated commission dealing with the issues of Lake Sevan Vladimir Movsisyan said today at a press conference in “Armenpress” press center, adding that in the coming 2-3 years great volume of work is necessary for the solution of all the issues of Sevan. He said that 44 billion AMD or 120 million USD will be allocated for the events.

“The proposals presented to the Armenian president are directed toward solution of three issues – increase of the level of Sevan, restoring of the water quality and ecosystem. Sevan hydroelectric station’s more than 3,3 km sector of the Arpa-Sevan tunnel is in breakthrough condition and urgent steps are necessary to restore it. An international tender has been declared in which “Arpa-Sevan” company has been declared a winner: the restoration sum is 11,8 billion AMD. The construction works have already launched from September 1 and will be finished in the coming 6-7 years. These are quite serious works. If we do not restore it may become out of use,” he said, noting that in the first half of the coming year the workers will work and in the next six months water will be moved from Kechut water dumb to Sevan.

Vladimir Movsisyan said today the most important issue is to have clean and high-quality water. “If we do not have clean water all the work carried out previously will pass in vain as our goal is to have a sweet water and not technical or irrigation water,” the head of the commission said.

He informed that restoration of sewerage pipelines of five towns – Sevan, Gavar, Martuni, Vardenis and Jermuk – have already launched. Mr Movsisyan said if the water supply and sewerage cleaning issues of 43 communities are not solved, difficulties will come forth.

Works are being carried out toward creation of Sevan Preservation and Restoration All-Armenian Foundation and the sums centralized in it will be spent only for solving the lake’s water cleaning issue.

The works on cleaning the lake shore have already launched. The level of Sevan is 1900 m 4 cm. As a result of its rise 520 constructions have appeared under water.

According to the information of the RA Nature Protection Ministry, 593 ha of woods and bushes appeared under water. For cleaning them with the sum provided by the Armenian government a machine working under water will be brought. It is planned to reach Armenia in late October.

The most complicated Vladimir Movsisyan said is the issues of roads, as previously, according to the Armenian Transport and Communication Ministry, 9.7 km of road sector must have gone under water but now 16.6 km sector has appeared under water.

The commission invited a consultation October 7 during which the main plan of road moving for 2011-2029 will be reviewed.