A press tour on the Melekeska River was held in Naberezhnye Chelny: journalists were shown the progress of the ecological rehabilitation of the water body
Today, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Tatarstan organized a press tour to the Melekeska River, where the second stage of clearing the riverbed continues within the framework of the national project "Ecological well-being". The journalists were able to personally see how modern technology and specialists are restoring the river to its natural state.
A large-scale project with a history and a future
According to Alexey Polyushkov, Deputy Director for Construction at NPO Geocenter RT, the work is being carried out within the framework of the federal project "Water of Russia".
"The first stage was implemented in 2022, when a 1.5 km long section of the riverbed was cleared to support the Kuibyshev reservoir. In 2025, work began on clearing the 3.1 km long riverbed. The aim of the project is the ecological rehabilitation of the Melekeski River in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny," said Alexey Polyushkov.
He spoke in detail about the technologies used: To remove the bottom soil, a dredger is used, which directs the pulp (a mixture of water and sediments) through a pipeline to the alluvial map. After that, the purified water returns to the river.
"The facility employs 9 units of special equipment, including a dredger, five excavators (two of which are amphibious), a backhoe loader and a dump truck. The work is being carried out by 12 workers and 3 engineering and technical staff. The work is carried out seven days a week," added a representative of the subordinate institution of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Not just clearing, but returning to life
During the work, not only bottom sediments are extracted from the river, but also what has been accumulating here for decades: parts of old cars, a boat, a large number of tires and nets. All these items are transferred to the SMW field.
Dredger operator Rustem Kalimullin shared his work experience:
"We are using a dredger to clean the Melekeska River. The dredger has an operator who uses special equipment to scan the river bottom. With such special equipment, we cleaned Lake Lesnoye in the Coastal Park of Naberezhnye Chelny, so the experience is successful."
The head of the Executive Committee of the city of Naberezhnye Chelny, Farid Salakhov, stressed the importance of the work carried out for the urban environment.
"There are three rivers in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny, and Melekeska is the largest of them. Residents positively assess the ongoing work and note the importance of the attention paid to the city's water facilities. Earlier, during the cleaning of Lake Lesnoye, bottom sediments were successfully used for the improvement of parks of culture and recreation," said Farid Salakhov.
As a result of all the environmental rehabilitation work, living conditions for all residents of the city will improve. According to Vera Zakharova, a resident of the city, who has lived in Avtograd since 1972, the changes that are taking place with the embankment and the river have already been appreciated by everyone who comes here for walks. "I've been living here for many years, and the difference between what used to be and what is now is just huge. Thanks to the support of our Head of the Republic, Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov, and Mayor Nail Gambarovich Magdeev, the city has been transformed. This is the coastal zone, where residents from other complexes and visitors to the city come. The river is health, and all conditions for active recreation are created here: walking areas, exercise equipment, places for mothers with strollers and children on scooters. In summer, there is a lot of life here. It's great that people can spend time in a landscaped area after work. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who is involved in these positive changes."
Financing and prospects
The total amount of project financing is 318.8 million rubles, distributed over three years (2025 – 44.1 million rubles, 2026 – 168.9 million rubles, 2027 – 105.8 million rubles). To ensure the smooth running of the work, the Republic of Tatarstan has already received advanced financing in the amount of 34.1 million rubles.
As a result of the implementation of all stages, a total of 4.6 km of the Melekeski River in the central part of the city will be cleared.