I. Metshin: “The questions posed by journalists and residents helped us to adjust our plans”

(KZN.RU, December 25, Zilya Gayfi). Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, held a traditional New Year meeting with representatives of leading city, republican and federal mass media. About 30 journalists of television, printed, and electronic publications gathered at the meeting in the City Hall, where the Mayor summarized the results of the year and shared plans for the future.

The subjects of the questions were traditionally diverse: from transport and construction of social institutions to demography and private life of the Mayor. Ilsur Metshin didn’t leave any question unattended. He thanked the journalists for their help in solving the city's problems. “The year flew by quickly. I thank you for being our assistants on this road. We lived together in 2017, which turned out to be bright for the events. There are many things that we did for the first time. The questions posed by you and the residents helped us to adjust our plans”, said the Mayor, opening the meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ilsur Metshin reminded what was remarkable in the year. He noted a large layer of work to improve infrastructure, in particular, to increase the volume of roads repairs, carried out with the support of the President of the RT. In 2017, the budget for road repairs in Kazan increased to 6 billion rubles.

“Public organizations that monitor the quality of Russian roads have put us in the lead. We have ceased to be a city of bad roads. Thanks to the President for this attention to the capital”, said the Mayor.

The program for an overhaul of houses has passed beyond the equator. The Mayor noted that almost 2.5 thousand houses have been renovated, which is almost 50% of the total housing stock. So, this year the program touched 240 objects, and 270 houses are already planned next year, assured the Mayor. At the same time, an overhaul of schools and kindergartens continued.

The journalists thanked the Mayor for the implementation of the project on eco-rehabilitation of the Lebyazhie lake system. According to I. Metshin, 2017 year was a breakthrough for the city in this regard.

The city began to address the decades-long infrastructural issues. The program for overhauling the outpatient clinics started, the reclamation of the Samosyrovskaya dump and the construction of the SPS “Zarechie” began, and the modernization of the facilities of the MUP “Vodokanal”.

The situation with shareholders who bought apartments from companies “Fon” and “Sway” is under the close attention of the leadership of the city and the republic. According to I. Metshin, it was possible to deliver the sixth problem object on the eve of the New Year thanks to the daily work.

The head of the city described the improvement of the demographic situation as a great achievement. “Of course, there may be recessions ahead due to the demographic hole of the 90's. Now the situation is diametrically opposite. 1.5 million people population is not so far from now”, said the Mayor.

One of the first journalists’ questions was the construction of an incineration plant.

Ilsur Metshin told about a working trip to an incinerator in Switzerland, which serves as an example of how to properly implement such a project. “If I hadn’t seen with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. There is no smell in 5 meters from the wall of the plant. Yes, we have to go through the hard road to a separate collection of garbage, we must do this together. But we will certainly consult with the residents, there will be public hearings”, assured the Mayor.

The question was also asked about the planned buildings. “We will do this by maximally preserving and creating new green corners with large trees. Today we have 5 young trees for each new car. We will definitely keep the standards of gardening. We will build micro-districts, create embankments, squares, and parks so that people feel comfortable in the city”, said the Mayor.

The subject of the infrastructure has most of all questions, in particular, about the need to introduce the program “Settlement” in the republic. The head of the city agreed that such a program is in demand. “About 200 thousand people live in the settlements. We need a program that solves a whole layer of problems. Thanks to the leadership of the republic for the fact that this issue is being systematically solved”, replied the Mayor.

Journalists also asked how the work on the new scheme of public transport was proceeding. “The Moscow Research Institute is completing its work. Three variants have been developed, we will certainly present them and consult with the residents”, said the Mayor. Continuing the topic, I. Metshin answered the question about the solution of the problem of parking lots in yards.

One of the questions concerned the situation with the Tatar language in the republic. “Now the Ministry of Education of the RT together with the scientific community is preparing a proposal on how to make the Tatar language available for non-Tatar-speaking children. It is important that we saw the problem of studying the Tatar language through this discussion”, said the Mayor.

He also talked about himself and his family and noted the role of elders in shaping attitudes towards their native language.

The Mayor dispelled the doubts of journalists about rumors about a possible change of workplace. “I didn’t have a single similar working day for 12 years of work as the mayor. I am happy to lead this city, to be inside such great events. Therefore, if you will allow me, I'll work some more”, the journalists greeted this phrase with laughter and applause. The head of the city thanked Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, for his support on many issues.

At the end of the meeting, I. Metshin thanked journalists for the questions, concern, and professionalism that help in the work of the city leadership. “Thanks to you, we keep going on. Your work is important and we are always open to you. We all work on one goal to live in a comfortable, safe, and beautiful city”, said the Mayor and wished everyone a Happy New Year.