© RIA Novosti. Alexei Boitsov

Government approves development plans for 15 key towns and cities in the Arctic

These include Tiksi – Naiba, Salekhard – Labytnangi, Pevek – Bilibino, Norilsk – Dudinka, Dikson, Naryan-Mar, Noyabrsk, Novy Urengoi, Vorkuta, Egvekinot, as well as the Arkhangelsk, Kem-Beloye More, Murmansk, Kirov-Apatity, and Monchegorsk agglomerations. A directive to this effect has been signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.  

Socially important projects will dominate the development of Tiksi and Naiba in Yakutia. A health center and a hospital will be built in Tiksi, and a prefab building will be installed to house an outpatient clinic in Naiba.  

The Arctic Cruise tourist route is being planned for the Pevek-Bilibino agglomeration in Chukotka with calls at Chukotka ports, plus an ecological trail to Mount Pehekinay.

The development plans also envisage an infrastructure upgrade effort involving overhauls on public utility systems with road repairs as a sideline. This will make it possible to improve living and working conditions in the Arctic.