MOSCOW. July 24 (Interfax-AVN) - RUB792m (USD26.07m) will be spent on the construction of the chemical weapons destruction facility in the town of Shchuchye in the Kurgan region in 2003, a source in the administration of the Russian State Commission on Chemical Disarmament told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday.
"Construction of several installations continue in Shchuchye's industrial zone. According to the updated state defense order, RUB792m is to be allocated for this purpose in 2003," the source said.
Plans provide for launching the construction of a technological block in the industrial zone, he noted. The Chumlyak-Shchuchye conduit will be completed. The construction of the transforming station and a power line for the water intake on the Miass River will continue.
Some of the works will continue in 2004, the source noted. According to him, over RUB180m (USD5.93m) is to be spent on erecting social infrastructure installations in the region in 2003.
"Reconstruction of the district hospital in Shchuchye and the construction of new individual houses and three blocks of flats for the facility's personnel will continue," the source said.
The gas pipeline connecting the localities of Peschano, Kaledino, Shumikha, and Shchuchye will be commissioned this year. In addition, a new school for 130 pupils will open in the Planovy village.
"Construction of social installations will reach its peak in 2004. In particular, we will launch construction of a communication office, club, ambulance station, shop, and the second set of residential houses," the source said.
According to open sources, the Shchuchye facility stores chemical artillery shells and chemical warheads for missiles of 85, 122, 130, 140, 152 and 220mm caliber. In addition, the storehouses contain chemical warheads filled with nerve gases (Sarin, Soman, VX). The total weight of chemical munitions stocked in Shchuchye exceeds 5,000 tonnes.