Reserve formation, technical readiness: Belarusian transport industry completes preparations for winter

Organizations of the Ministry of Transport and Communications traditionally prepare for the winter in advance. All actions are honed and performed at a calm pace. For example, these include seasonal maintenance of transport, preparation of special equipment, procurement of deicing materials, purchase of reagents, conducting briefings with drivers and drivers. Today, the organizations of the Ministry of Transport registered 100% of the certificates of readiness of consumers of thermal energy and heat sources. A representative of the ministry told more about the preparations for the winter on October 7 at a conference in the Press House.

Every year, national tasks are set at the level of the Government to prepare the entire country for work during the heating period. This year, they were also determined by the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 317 of June 25, 2026.

- At the industry level, we have adopted an order to prepare industry organizations for this period. The list of organizational and technical measures for preparation for the autumn-winter period was approved. Commissions have been established to coordinate preparatory, repair and restoration work, as well as to create the necessary fuel reserves. The Ministry of Transport monitored the implementation of these measures, said Pavel Brechko, Deputy Head of the Department of Scientific and Technical Policy and Informatization of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

He noted that today the organizations of the Ministry have repaired 4.4 thousand linear meters of heat networks (100 percent of the required number), conducted more than 12 thousand cable power lines (100 percent of the required number), repaired 47 boiler houses (100 percent of the planned), created the necessary stock of fuel oil in the amount of 708 tons with the completed task of 650 tons.

- The most important issue during the autumn-winter period is ensuring traffic safety. In October, according to the plan, we will complete the harvesting of sand-salt mixture and technical salt to combat ice. The total need for such a mixture for the entire winter period is 252.6 thousand tons. By October 15, at least 126.3 thousand tons will be harvested. Also, until October 15, work will be completed to create the necessary stocks of materials for the implementation of pit repairs, road surfaces in winter conditions, and sand reserves. In October, the work on the repair and preparation of fuel distribution equipment, rotors, auto graders, tractors, forklifts will be fully completed, the deputy head of the department said.

As of September 18, the readiness of the equipment was already more than 90%. Until October 15, instructions will be held with drivers of vehicles on road safety when working in low temperatures, ice and snow drifts.

- In the transportation industry, we also welcome innovation. And the latest trends, which are observed not only in Russia, but also in the world, are the introduction of driver assistance systems in driving a vehicle. Special tools are installed to help the driver respond to a particular situation. Moreover, it is considered a progressive approach, when the degree of automation of the car increases. That is, when the technical means become more and more. This is a promising direction, said Pavel Brechko.

According to the results of all the activities carried out, as well as the dynamics of the work carried out, the Ministry can declare the readiness of the transport complex for the autumn-winter period.

- At the same time, the Ministry of Transport is preparing to respond to emergencies that may occur during the autumn-winter period. In accordance with the decisions of the Emergency Situations Commission under the Council of Ministers, until November 1, the Ministry of Transport together with the Republican Emergency Management and Response Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations will conduct trainings to control the readiness of officials, forces and means to respond to emergency emergencies in winter, the expert informed.

The practical part of the training is based on situations that have already occurred on the transport infrastructure. During the exercises, actions are worked out in case of falling trees, breakages of power lines and other incidents that can disrupt the work of the transport system. Preparation for the autumn-winter season includes not only the formation of reserves and technical readiness, but also testing the ability of services to quickly interact in real conditions. This allows us to identify weaknesses in advance and increase the stability of the transport system during difficult weather conditions, the expert added.