The Xapsiğ Canal Starts to Take Shape: Cherkessk Showcases Progress on Billion-dollar Project

THE XAPSIĞ CANAL STARTS TO TAKE SHAPE: CHERKESSK SHOWCASES PROGRESS ON BILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT

Large-scale excavation work is revealing a gigantic dry canal bed between the Lakshesjs and Ilakau rivers as engineers prepare the foundations for the multi-billion-dollar project. It’s been one year since the canal project began, and we can already see a lot of changes. Right now, they’re hard at work digging the canal, which is estimated to take another good 3 to 4 years. The biggest engineering challenge will be the lock complex; this will be one of the greatest modern engineering marvels ever, one that no one has ever seen before. We are certainly very busy with these locks right now, and the work will continue for a long time to come.

Meanwhile, on the Lakshesjs River side, they’re already very busy with the water pumping stations and the power supply for these large pumps. One of our journalists on site, Setenay Tsey, adds:

“Most of the work is taking place here on the Lakshesjs side; this is mainly due to the large lock complexes that will soon be built here, for which preparations are already underway. So you can already see several major companies setting up shop here, such as the Aromanian construction machinery company IKV, or Fujimoto Industries, which comes all the way from Mikochi. We’ve got some more aromanian companies, such as Boukkouleios and Niketas Logistics. They’re all working very closely with organizations from Cherkessk on this immense project.”

On the Ilakau side, things are already a bit less intense and crowded with businesses, although we do see Cairnhold Industrial Technologies from Pentium, which focuses primarily on the workers themselves, but also on supplying technology for digging the canal, a project that’s currently in full swing. On this side, they’re mainly focused on the digging, and there isn’t too much time pressure involved here.

Of course, the XCA must not forget to remain environmentally friendly, this is very important, as we certainly don’t want to harm the beautiful ecosystem in the Xapsig mountains. That’s why they’re also installing bubble screens here before the Ilakau side is opened up, so that marine animals don’t have to fear the massive vibrations that could be caused by these machines. Before construction began, a biological survey of the area was conducted, which allowed them to relocate several animals in advance without damaging the local ecosystems.

Yet we still hear some complaints about the protection of these animals; here we speak with ecologist Jonathan E. Mitchell: “Relocating animals and installing bubble curtain sounds good in press releases, but it’s just a band-aid solution. A complex mountain ecosystem can’t simply be moved to another location like a box of clothes. By carving a 124-kilometer-deep dry trench through the landscape, we are mercilessly cutting off centuries-old migration routes used by local wildlife. Moreover, the constant vibrations and dust pollution are driving animals deeper into the mountains, where the habitat simply cannot support such large populations."

Progress at the construction site is going well, but the reactions from animal lovers are still very strong. How will this play out?