Chechen roads

The restoration of the economy and urgent construction

According to the Russian road maintenance agency, the latest monitoring of roads in Russia shows that out of 87 Russian subjects the Chechen roads are in the 84th position. In 2007, 91% of its roads did not meet national standards. The poor condition of the roads can be explained by two military campaigns and the heavy military vehicles constantly using them. The road-transport network of Grozny was almost totally destroyed.

In 2007, the work of the Ministry of Transport became more intense. 2.8 billion rubles were spent on road reconstruction in 2008, 26 bridges, 244 km of roads, 10 road production facilities, 4 industrial facilities, 2 asphalt factories using German technology producing 160 tons per hour were put into operation.

The main source of finances is the federal purpose program of social-economic development of Chechnya for 2008-2011. The head of the Ministry of Roads Abubakar Tumkhadzhiyev said that the program involves asphalting 393 km of roads and putting 34 bridges into operation. But the ministry has 3,011 km of roads and 198 bridges. 130 out of 198 bridges need reconstruction, the minister says.

The railways are also not operating fully. The republic has recently estimated over 50 populated areas have no connection to the main networks. The authorities are preparing for construction and reconstruction of such routes as Grozny-Shatoy-Itum-Kali, Grozny-Vedeno-Botlikh (Dagestani direction), Hot Springs-Argun, Grozny-Gudermes-Kurchaloy. In the nearest future they will start repairing roads in the Charoy region. 500 million rubles were provided for repairing and maintaining the roads within the framework of the program. Each kilometer of road in Chechnya require 52,000 rubles, while other subjects of the North Caucasian Federal District require 170-180 thousand rubles.

In September, the first works on reconstructing the ‘Caucasus’ highway is expected to be completed. The road is 110 km long. The first section is 10 km long and was extended to 27 m and goes from the border with Ingushetia. Moreover, the first two-level junction was built in Chechnya.

The changes will be seen in the capital of Chechnya as well. The architects proposed building a ringway in Grozny. Inner, middle and outer road rings will solve traffic problems. The plan is also being analyzed in the mayor’s office. Specialists say that new housing construction will be built to allow road widening.

Timur Utsayev, Grozny. Exclusively for VK