The administration of Russia’s Omsk region and the Federal Agency for Water Resources are revising the construction schedule for the Krasnogorsky hydroscheme on the Irtysh River following contractor failures and pending regulatory approvals. Governor Vitaly Khotsenko and agency head Dmitry Kirillov met on Feb. 6 to assess the project, which is designed to regulate water levels on the transboundary waterway.
Construction of the first phase of the facility resumed in early 2022 after previous interruptions. While completion was initially targeted for the spring of 2024, the timeline has been pushed back to September 2025. The delay follows the blacklisting of the primary contractor, Mezhregionstroy, which was added to the national registry of failed contractors in December.
Khotsenko noted that the project faces technical and administrative challenges involving the construction pace and the existing design parameters. Local authorities are currently awaiting a final report from Glavgosexpertiza, the state expertise body, to update the project documentation. This review is expected to determine the final operational strategy and technical adjustments required for completion.
The Irtysh River – which flows through China, Kazakhstan, and Russia – is a critical source of water for the industrial city of Omsk. The hydroscheme is intended to mitigate low water levels that have historically threatened municipal water supplies and navigation. Regional and federal officials stated they are coordinating efforts to stabilize the project and ensure the infrastructure is finalized.
