Without a Route
From June 23 due to heavy rains a part of Tbilisi-Vladikavkaz highway was flooded by the Terek River. The only overland route connecting Armenia with Russia and other countries became impassable, causing freight transporters serious issues and reminding once again how vulnerable we are regarding transport communication.
Initially there was hope that the road will be restored, however, it turned out, that optimism isn’t justified. Upon recent official information, transportation through upper Lars will be possible in 10-14 days, and maybe, up to 3 weeks. Currently trucks move to the direction of Batumi-Poti-Novorossiysk ports, through automobile ferries.
Route, that collapsed
The topic of upper Lars, at large, relates to all Armenia’s citizens, as greater part of foreign trade turnover is implemented through that very road. However, not everybody clearly perceives what that road is, which part is collapsed, and currently which road freight transporters make use of.
The main road (Map 1 marked in bold), by which our trucks reach to Russia is the strategic road (the Georgian Military Road), which connects Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz. Travel from Yerevan to Moscow through the Military Road is about 2260km (according to Google Maps, through the checkpoint of Bagratashen). This mountainous road is dangerous and uncomfortable: sometimes in winter it’s becoming impassable. And in spring, Terek River floods and waters the road. However, presently this 210km part is the only overland route connecting Armenia and Russia. The collapse was recorded in the territory of Georgia.
According to the freight transporters it occurred 4-5 kilometers away from the checkpoint (our interlocutors were mentioning the church as an orienting point, near which the river flooded-Map 2). Note, maps and calculations have been made through Google Maps, i.e. some inaccuracies are possible.
According to different sources, it refers 600-800 m part, where rehabilitation works should be initiated. Vache Gabrielyan, RA Deputy PM, informed on Thursday, that rehabilitation of the road may last for 2-3 weeks. Although some freight transporters were stating that if wanted, works may be quickly finalized. Note, more than half of freight transportations is shared by auto transportation, i.e. it may be perceived what a serious issue it’s for Armenia.
Route, which is currently exploited
An alternative route is presently offered to the freight transporters—through the sea. To get to Russia our trucks should head for Poti, and from there to be transported to the port of Novorossiysk through a ferry and continue the overland route. On the one hand, this extends the route, on the other hand, it creates additional financial and other difficulties for freight transporters. USD 1100 is necessary for transportation of the truck through the ferry rented from “Spayka,” moreover, places should be initially booked. Driver of the truck has no right to travel by the ferry, together with his truck, which is another problem. Thus, the driver should get to Novorossiysk through other way and wait for the arrival of his truck. However, freight transporters are mostly concerned with disorganized condition. There are people, whose drivers are waiting in Novorossiysk for a long period, however, the truck wasn’t even raised on the ferry in Poti.
Despite allegations by our authorities that the situation is under control, freight transporters insist that it’s a real “disorder.” Many are convinced that the upper Lars road will be soon restored, that their trucks will get by ferry.
The alternative route
Besides the Military Road, there is another one, which passes through South Ossetia (marked in dotted lines on Map 1). Drivers say that the road is in good condition. It extends the route a bit, however, it’s safer, there is no threat of floods, and is exploitable in all seasons of the year. This means, freight transporters aren’t against making use of that route. However, the issue is, that the road is closed: it’s impossible to enter to South Ossetia from Georgia out of clear geo-political reasons.
Gagik Beglaryan, Minister of Transport and Communication, told Thursday, that RA Government has launched negotiations with Georgian and Russian sides for an alternative route, however, Hana Yankovskaya, press speaker of the president of South Ossetia, stated yesterday that South Ossetia didn’t get any application from Armenia on transition of Armenian trucks through its territory. Basically, to now our Government up is observing the issue theoretically.
Surely, official Tskhinvali will only be glad for becoming a transit country, from which it’ll gain both economically and politically. However, Georgians, slightly said, won’t like it. Even if we theoretically consider, that the sides will succeed to reach to an agreement, it won’t settle all the issues. It turns out, if today we have transition for establishing overland connection with Russia, through the territory of Georgia, in that case, number of transit countries will become two. This means: additional expenditures, issues at the checkpoint and etc. Thus, making use of South Ossetia as a transit country for the time being is only an intention.
When we used to do our best not to involve in the Customs Union, our main argument was absence of common border for that union, i.e. the issue with the route. And currently, it turns out, that a situation may be created, when the road isn’t a transit, but there is no overland route at all. However, what is important—we are an EEU member country.
By Babken Tunyan
