OREANDA-NEWS. November 21, 2008. The Republic of Altai hosted today the celebrations dedicated to the completion and commissioning of the Barnaul – Biysk – Gorno-Altaisk gas pipeline with a branch to Belokurikha, as well as to the launch of gas supplies to consumers in the town of Gorno-Altaisk and the settlement of Maima.

Participating in the celebrations were Alexander Berdnikov, Head of the Altai Republic, Yakov Ishutin, Deputy Governor of the Altai Krai, a Gazprom delegation led by Alexander Ananenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, as well as representatives of federal and municipal authorities.

“Gazprom has made another important step towards developing the regional gasification and gas supply to eastern Russia. In 2006 natural gas arrived in Biysk, in 2007 – to Belokurikha. Today the opportunity of utilizing such a unique natural resource was granted to the Altai Republic citizens.

In future, gas will be delivered to another population centers too. Constructed by Gazprom, the Barnaul – Biysk – Gorno-Altaisk gas pipeline with a branch to Belokurikha will lay a foundation for further gasification of the Altai Krai and the Altai Republic. This will create a powerful impetus for economic growth, production development, better environmental situation and higher living standards of the population.

Gazprom pays special attention to the gasification of Eastern Siberia and the Far East. The experience gained in Altai could be used in other regions of Eastern Russia,” stated Alexander Ananenkov.

“Arrival of gas in the Altai Republic is indeed a long-awaited and historical event, a great day for all our citizens. The appearance of the blue fuel in our Republic will transform our lives. Steamshops will stop emitting fumes, in the winter we will look into the blue, clear sky and breathe with clean, fresh air. Life will be more comfortable and civilized.

But gas is not only an environmentally friendly heat source. This is also a real opportunity to develop our economy and to carry out large-scale investment projects on the Republican territory. I am convinced that it is the arrival of a gas pipeline in our Republic will mark the beginning of a new time when the living conditions both in cities and in the rural area will improve and our region will embark on a course of sustainable economic development,” said Alexander Berdnikov.