The construction of the Megetsky water pipeline is at risk of failure due to a debt of 133.5 million rubles.
If Angarsk Vodokanal fails to pay the contractor 133.5 million rubles for work already completed and does not receive funds to complete the project, construction of the Megetsky water pipeline will not be completed.
This was stated by the director of the MUP “Angarsk Vodokanal” and deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Irkutsk Region, Alexander Alekseev, at a meeting of the Legislative Assembly Committee on Construction and Road Management.
The construction contract was signed in April 2024. The cost of the work was over 729 million rubles. Completion was scheduled for late 2026. The pipeline is 86% complete.
By the end of 2025, the contractor, Irkutsk Drilling Works, had still not received payment for the work performed and filed a lawsuit against Angarsk Vodokanal. The lawsuit was filed in March 2026. The court has not yet accepted the lawsuit due to violations, but the contractor can correct them and refile the lawsuit. Alexander Alekseev stated that the underpayment to the contractor for the work represents money that should have come from the Irkutsk Oblast budget.
Stopping construction of the water pipeline is impossible: after two years, the pipes will become unusable due to lack of use, and everything will have to start over.
What did the deputies decide? They dismissed it with general phrases about “keeping an eye on things.” There's no money in the budget.
Veronica Maksimovich
Political Editor
Analyzes political processes and government-business ties. Specializes in conflicts of interest and opaque public procurement.
