The works for the construction of the Ballaban-Berat road axis are moving at a fast pace. Along the entire length of lot number 3, the track has been opened and work is continuing with the construction of works of art. Work is also being done to protect the escarpments and retaining walls.
The Berat-Ballaban road axis, with a length of 58 kilometers, connects the district of Berat with that of Gjirokastra. Along it lies a large number of villages which, with the construction of this axis, will be more easily accessible. The area is also considered to have great potential for tourism development.
The Deputy Prime Minister, at the same time the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, together with the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, the director of ARRSH (The Albanian Road Authority), Evis Berberi and the mayors of the municipalities of Këlcyra, Memaliaj, Përmet and Tepelena that are affected by this project, followed from close to the progress of the works.
“Time has favored us. We are working mainly with the works of art, which are numerous, as the first 5 kilometers lie in a semi-plain, semi-hilly terrain, while the remaining 10 kilometers lie in a mountainous terrain. We are working with retaining walls, drainage channels and slopes. Almost the entire route has been opened”, Berberi clarified.
The beginning of the works for the construction of this road axis has begun to give the first effects. Residents of the area have started to erect the first reception structures. Minister Kumbaro said that the agritourism model is a real opportunity for the area as it offers all the necessary resources.
“In addition to the residents of Përmet, Këlcyra, Memaliaj, Tepelena, who are users of this axis, the number of tourists is always increasing. What is more important is that the residents will continue to stay because if we take away the tourists, the consumers. Thanks to this infrastructure, there will be an economic development and there are many residents, young men of this area, who live in Tirana and in the spirit of agrotourism that we have encouraged, want to return to invest in their villages, in their parents’ homes” , said Kumbaro.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Belinda Balluku, said that the construction of this axis will not only facilitate movement and access to the entire area along which it lies, but will also affect the growth of the local economy by promoting the development of agriculture and tourism, as two important sectors.
“This will be a very important road for agricultural and tourism development. It is an extraordinary province in terms of natural beauty, and it should be borne in mind that the Berat-Ballaban road passes through Berat, Skrapar, Përmet and Tepelena, so it affects important regions for both agricultural development and tourist development,” said Balluku.
Investments in infrastructure and energy, Balluku emphasized, have a key role in the development of all sectors that contribute to the economic growth of the country, so it will continue to be invested in areas where there are many potentials.
“Infrastructure and energy are two supporting pillars that drive the economy forward. The economy is dynamic, it changes, so priorities change. We used to prioritize agriculture. We do not neglect it, we continue with the subsidy packages, we continue with the support policies we have for farmers and breeders, but on the other hand, tourism itself, due to the income it has created during 2023, is the one that has received the main focus. The task of infrastructure and energy is to create all the logistical conditions for the development of these sectors”, underlined Balluku.
The new Berat-Ballaban road axis is divided into three lots. Currently, work is being done on lot number 3, which has a length of approximately 16 kilometers.
