YEREVAN, December 23 – Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan addressed concerns regarding the delayed construction of the new ‘Ajapnyak’ metro station and the reallocation of a substantial part of its allocated funds. The project, initially slated to begin in 2024, has seen its timeline repeatedly pushed back, now targeting 2026 for commencement.
Funding Shifted to Public Transport Development
During a Tuesday meeting of the Yerevan Council of Elders, Anna Avetisyan, a member of the “Mother Armenia” faction, highlighted a discrepancy in the 2025 city budget. The initial allocation of 9.6 billion drams for the metro project was reduced to 1.4 billion drams, with an additional 2 billion drams proposed for the 2026 budget. This raised questions about the missing 7 billion drams.
Mayor Avinyan explained that the construction of the ‘Ajapnyak’ metro station is an exceptionally challenging undertaking, considered one of the most complex projects in Armenia’s recent history due to its high level of risk and the extensive time required for its completion.
He confirmed that the funds originally earmarked for the metro station have been redirected towards enhancing the city’s transport infrastructure, specifically for the acquisition of 45 new 12-meter trolleybuses. These new vehicles are expected to be delivered by April-May of next year.
Complex Project Requires Special Conditions
Regarding the 2026 budget allocations, Avinyan stated that the Armenian government needs to make a distinct decision concerning the tender for the ‘Ajapnyak’ station’s construction. He emphasized the necessity of incorporating special conditions due to the project’s substantial scale, asserting that standard procedures would not guarantee effective oversight of the construction process.
“We have proposed this to our government colleagues, and it appears that an agreement has been reached to proceed according to FIDIC principles (International Federation of Consulting Engineers),” Avinyan noted, underscoring the commitment to a meticulously managed construction process.
Avinyan assured the public that despite the intricate nature of the project, the ‘Ajapnyak’ station will ultimately be constructed, drawing parallels to the successful completion of the Cascade complex.
“An allocation of 2 billion drams has been set aside for engineering and technical oversight, as well as land acquisition. We are discussing a transport hub that is expected to boost metro passenger numbers by 22-25%,” Avinyan highlighted, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the new station.
Yerevan Metro: A Vital Part of the City’s Infrastructure
The Yerevan Metro, established in 1981, currently operates with 10 stations and a total line length of 13.4 km. It serves an average of 515-520 thousand passengers each week, playing a crucial role in the city’s public transportation network.
The delay in the ‘Ajapnyak’ station project, while a setback for some, is being framed by city officials as a strategic move to address immediate transport needs with the acquisition of new trolleybuses, while simultaneously ensuring the future metro expansion is executed with the highest standards and oversight.
Source: https://arka.am/en/news/society/yerevan-mayor-explains-delay-in-construction-of-new-metro-station/
