The 9th meeting of the Public Investment Committee took place, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The agenda included the presentation of several public investment project proposals: a project regarding the possibility of utilizing water from the Her-Her Reservoir via a back-pumping method; projects under the "Resilient and Inclusive Road Network Improvement Program-2," specifically the post-disaster reconstruction of the M-6 Vanadzor (M3 junction)–Alaverdi–RA border (Bagratashen) highway, the construction of the new tunnel in Dilijan, and the major overhaul and modernization of the Pushkin Tunnel; a project to strengthen the capacities of the Rescue Service’s Yerevan City Rescue Department; as well as the project for the "National Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia.

Aramazd Ghalamkaryan, Chairman of the Water Committee under the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, presented the project regarding the possibility of utilizing water from the Her-Her Reservoir via a back-pumping method. It was noted that the project is intended to provide irrigation water to 12 settlements in the Vayots Dzor region. It was reported that the land area to be served by the water pipeline to be constructed from the Her-Her Reservoir could encompass approximately 2,440 hectares, covering the settlements of Her-Her, Vayk, Malishka, Zedea, Agarakadzor, Yeghegnadzor, Getap, Arpi, Aghavnadzor, Rind, Areni, and Chiva. The construction of a water conduit will make it possible to effectively utilize the 26 million cubic meters of water that accumulate annually in the Her-Her Reservoir, expand the area of irrigable land, ensure a stable supply of irrigation water, and provide an additional inflow of 10–13 million cubic meters of water into Lake Sevan, among other benefits.

The committee members discussed the potential for addressing economic, social, and water security issues through the implementation of the program. The necessity of conducting a feasibility study for the project was emphasized, as this would allow for a more precise assessment of its energy-related potential.

The next item on the agenda was presented by Kristine Ghalechyan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. Public investment projects under the "Resilient and Inclusive Road Network Improvement Program-2" were introduced, specifically: the post-disaster reconstruction of the M-6 Vanadzor (junction with M3)–Alaverdi–RA border (Bagratashen) highway; the construction of a new tunnel in Dilijan; and the major overhaul and modernization of the Pushkin Tunnel.

First, the project for the "Post-Disaster Rehabilitation of the M-6 Vanadzor (M3 junction)–Alaverdi–RA Border (Bagratashen) Highway" was presented. It was noted that the plan involves rehabilitating and improving sections of the M-6 Vanadzor (M3 junction)–Alaverdi–RA Border (Bagratashen) interstate highway that were damaged by the floods in May 2024. The project aims to restore damaged road sections, enhance the resilience of vulnerable areas against potential future flooding of the Debed River through bank protection measures and the construction of retaining walls, and implement protective measures against rockfalls.

The discussion highlighted the importance of having safe transport infrastructure that is resilient to climate-related risks—infrastructure that would contribute to road safety, the seamless and secure operation of transport systems, economic efficiency, accessibility for communities, and more.

The Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure also provided a report on the "Construction of a New Tunnel in Dilijan" project. It was noted that plans are in place to construct a new, 2,365-meter-long tunnel parallel to the existing Dilijan tunnel (approximately 50 meters to the left). This new tunnel will be designed for a "Category 2" road and will comply with EU Directive 2004/54/EC—which sets minimum safety requirements for tunnels within the Trans-European Road Network—by incorporating modern engineering, safety, and automated control systems. The existing tunnel will be repurposed as an evacuation tunnel. The evacuation tunnel will be connected to the new tunnel at 500-meter intervals, facilitating the rapid evacuation of road users in the event of an emergency.

Meeting participants agreed that the implementation of this project will contribute to the creation of a modern, seamless, and sustainable transport infrastructure, ultimately benefiting the public, economic development, and the environment. It was emphasized that the construction of a modern tunnel complex will also contribute to the effective management of emergency situations, the assurance of uninterrupted and reliable traffic, and the development of tourism, freight transport, and economic activity.

Kristine Ghalechyan also presented details regarding the "Major Repair and Modernization of the Pushkin Tunnel" project. It was noted that the plan includes the restoration and modernization of the tunnel's structural elements, the improvement of engineering systems, and the implementation of modern solutions for road and fire safety. The implementation of this project will contribute to enhanced traffic safety and uninterrupted traffic flow, improved reliability of transport connections, and the alignment of the tunnel with modern safety requirements.

An exchange of views took place, during which committee members emphasized the importance of efforts aimed at modernizing the tunnel and its technical systems, ensuring safe traffic organization, and establishing improved conditions for emergency response.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Armen Mkrtchyan presented a public investment project titled "Strengthening the Capabilities of the Rescue Service’s Yerevan City Rescue Department." It was reported that the firefighting equipment currently in use by the fire and rescue squads of the Rescue Service’s Yerevan City Rescue Department has not been updated since 2010. The equipment currently in operation is both physically and technologically obsolete, leading to frequent breakdowns. In recent years, numerous high-rise residential and public buildings have been constructed in and around Yerevan; furthermore, there are hazardous industrial facilities and critical infrastructure sites. Effectively organizing firefighting operations at these locations requires the use of aerial ladder trucks with an extension reach of at least 35 meters or more.

During the meeting, issues related to the progress of the program were discussed, and the possibilities for its implementation through various formats were explored.

As part of the agenda, Suren Tovmasyan, Head of the Cadastre Committee, presented the draft of the "National Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia" investment program. It was reported that the program envisages the establishment and development of Armenia’s National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) as a key element of the country’s digital transformation. It includes a unified geodetic reference system, aerial photography and LiDAR mapping of the entire country, high-resolution 3D models of cities, mobile road mapping, bathymetric surveys of water bodies, standardization of cadastral data, thematic datasets, and digital services, as well as the modernization of the National Geoportal, supported by a reliable information security infrastructure.

During the discussion, the objectives of the program were addressed, and the importance of integrated information for strategic planning and forecasting, decision-making, management, and operational efficiency was emphasized.

The aforementioned projects were approved as a result of the discussions. Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the effective management and implementation of public investment projects, which contribute to economic activity, the targeted allocation of resources, infrastructure development, long-term efficiency, and more.