Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Thursday that the Armenian government will form two new task forces to confront Yerevan’s worsening air pollution and severe traffic congestion, calling for a coordinated and accountable approach to both issues. He said he would ask his staff to submit proposals regarding the composition of these groups.
According to him, the first working group will focus on air pollution, clearly documenting the problem, fully assessing the causes, and proposing appropriate solutions. He stressed that this issue must be formally placed on the agenda, understood in full, and addressed with concrete measures. The second group will undertake coordinated efforts to regulate traffic and alleviate congestion, which Pashinyan has previously described as “chaos and crisis,” expressing outrage at the number of cars in the capital.
Pashinyan emphasized the importance of accountability, saying, “There must be accountability mechanisms in place so that, from time to time, both the public and I are informed about what work has been done.” He demanded that appropriate public accountability systems be established and that he be personally briefed on the results of these efforts, involving a broad cross section of the public and expert community.
He stressed that the working groups should be inter agency, including not only representatives of state bodies but also Yerevan City Hall, community representatives, and members of civil society and the expert community.
Last month, Pashinyan described traffic in the capital as “chaos and crisis,” citing firsthand observations of severe gridlock during an October 16 Cabinet meeting. He said the number of cars entering Yerevan has become unsustainable and stressed that congestion has grown beyond normal levels. “Yesterday, around 6:20 p.m., I saw the situation myself. The traffic was so bad that I couldn’t even reach Baghramyan 26 by bicycle,” he said at the time. “We have a real problem related to the number of cars.” He warned that the situation carries social and psychological consequences, calling the downtown jams “horrendous,” and urged the government and Yerevan Municipality to take systematic action, including expanding public transportation and encouraging alternative mobility options.
Recent Smog Crisis Raises Public Alarm
A persistent blanket of smog has settled over Yerevan in recent days, prompting growing alarm from residents, physicians, and environmental specialists who say the capital is experiencing one of its most severe air pollution episodes in recent years. Social media users have described the air as “unbearably heavy,” “toxic,” and “so thick it feels like constant fog,” with many reporting eye irritation, coughing, and an acrid smell across the city.
According to the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center, the pollution spike is linked to a stationary anticyclone that has stalled over the Ararat Valley, halting air circulation and trapping cold, stagnant air. The agency reports that between November 17 and 25, dust concentrations in parts of Yerevan exceeded maximum norms by 1.4 to 4 times. Nitrogen dioxide levels rose above the standard in several central districts, while sulfur dioxide remained within limits.
Environmental experts say the scope of the issue is difficult to fully assess due to gaps in the official monitoring system. Geographer and Armenian Environmental Front co founder Levon Galstyan told Panorama.am that the government measures only a few parameters at a handful of locations, making comprehensive analysis impossible.
“Pollution sources are diverse, including vehicles, construction, non-metallic mines,” Galstyan said. “To understand what we’re breathing, we need reliable baseline data across many points. With only a couple of monitoring stations in the city center, you cannot draw serious conclusions.”
Galstyan noted that Yerevan’s bowl shaped topography and seasonal weather patterns worsen pollution during colder months, when the valley’s evening winds weaken. He added that open burning, including crop residue fires on the Ararat Plain, further contributes to the haze.
Health Experts Warn of Serious Risks
Doctors caution that the smog is especially dangerous for those with chronic respiratory diseases. Allergologist Sevan Iritsyan warned that individuals with asthma, bronchitis, and other conditions should limit outdoor exposure, use air purifiers indoors, and wear masks in highly polluted areas.
“Even without a surge in patient visits yet, long-term exposure will strain the health care system,” Iritsyan said. “Recovery from seasonal viral infections may also be slower.”
Kristina Vardanyan, an associate professor in the Department of Hygiene and Ecology at Yerevan State Medical University and a member of the Council of Elders of the opposition National Progress faction, told Novosti-Armenia that air quality in Yerevan is getting worse and worse. The ecologist noted that the most vulnerable groups include children, the elderly, people with chronic conditions (especially respiratory diseases), and allergy sufferers. She noted that the only filter that protects the air from pollution, trees, are being cut down throughout Yerevan.
Consumer rights advocate Babken Pipoyan said the health effects will also carry financial consequences for households and argued that environmental mismanagement is a nationwide concern.
“Yerevan is facing an environmental disaster, but the problem extends beyond the city,” he said. “From waste-management failures to rapid construction and the replacement of mature trees with decorative ones, the factors are many. Look at cancer statistics, serious questions must be addressed to the Health Ministry.”
Pipoyan criticized public agencies for prioritizing image over meaningful policy. “Our institutions invest resources in creating appearances rather than serving public welfare,” he said.
Mayor Avinyan Addresses Public Concerns
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan addressed public concerns regarding the recent spike in air pollution, stating on his Facebook page that the phenomenon is predominantly seasonal and mainly shaped by geographic factors. According to him, these are natural processes that occur cyclically every year with varying intensity.
“Dear residents of Yerevan, over the past few days, there have been growing concerns about elevated air pollution levels in the capital. It’s important to clarify that the pollution is not limited to Yerevan alone but also affects the adjacent Ararat Valley, including the provinces of Ararat, Armavir, Aragatsotn, and surrounding areas.
“In this region, air pollution follows a distinctly seasonal pattern, shaped mainly by geographic factors, such as air mass circulation, persistent dry anticyclonic weather, the influx of dry and dusty air masses from the southeast, and the region’s topography.
“These natural processes are cyclical and repeat annually with differing intensities. Due to these factors, an inversion regime is formed, which significantly reduces air ventilation, leading to the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere.
“Additionally, seasonal heating, wildfires, and open burning contribute to the presence of various gases, organic dust, and smoke in the air, further aggravating the situation amid the lack of ventilation. A reduction in air pollution across the region is expected with the arrival of cyclonic air masses from the north, which will disrupt the current inversion layer.
“We will also inform the public about the steps the Yerevan Municipality is taking to mitigate the problem,” the post concludes.
