The DPR Ministry of Transport began works on repairing the natural gas supply grid in Debaltsevo, with contractors following plans for construction and rehabilitation of the consumer supply grid.
“The DPR Ministry of Transport drafted a plan for the construction and of a natural gas supply grid in Debaltsevo. We’ll lay an underground pipeline parallel to the Uglegorsk-Debaltsevo rail line,” – the press service of the DPR Ministry of Transport said.
The DPR Ministry of Transport plans for this work to take place in three stages. Firstly, it’ll build a high-pressure gas line. Then, it’d lay medium pressure pad tracks through the city. Lastly, it’d repair and construct consumer distribution systems and install gas control and distribution points.
“We plan to convert 54 boilers to natural gas. The end-point of the high-pressure gas supply pipeline would be the locomotive depot in Debaltsevo. Our intent is to connect the projected gas supply pipeline to the existing aboveground pipeline near Kayutino,” – the DPR Ministry of Transport said.
“Donetskoblgaz” will carry out this work. The DPR Ministry of Transport didn’t specify a starting-date or budget estimate for the project.
Debaltsevo is the largest railway junction in the Donetsk People’s Respublic, connecting in multiple directions. Its railway depot repairs wheel-sets, manufactures rolling stock, and has an automated control system in its marshalling yards. Despite its strategic importance, the city didn’t have connections to the natural gas supply grid.
The DPR Army liberated Debaltsevo on 18 February. When the Ukrainian forces retreated, they did their best to sabotage communications and transportation lines, including the railway junction. The heavy fighting destroyed some 80 percent of the buildings in the city. The DPR has made restoring public utilities in Debaltsevo one of its priority tasks.
