The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) has begun a consultation process with local communities in Chimborazo province to seek free, prior, and informed consent for the construction of a new road variant between Aypud and Shushilcón. This initiative aims to restore connectivity on the E35 State Road Network, which was disrupted by a landslide in March 2023.
The consultation is intended to ensure indigenous communities can participate in decisions affecting their land. The first phase took place in Shushilcón and Aypud on December 16 and 17, concluding with a meeting involving local authorities on December 18.
Mauricio Castro, Social Specialist for the Emergency Resilient Reconstruction Project Implementation Team, said: “For MIT it is essential to establish direct dialogue with the communities linked to the project. The fundamental thing is to inform about the technical aspects of the work, address their concerns and reach agreements that guarantee a participatory and transparent process.”
The project will be carried out in Alausí canton with funding from the World Bank. Planned works include building a new 6.9-kilometer road, constructing a 20-meter bridge, laying an asphalt surface layer, adding lateral ditches, installing vertical and horizontal signage, slope protection works, revegetation and landscaping efforts, as well as additional environmental and social measures.
Through this participatory approach, national authorities aim to respect indigenous rights while ensuring proper community engagement for technical solutions that support safe transportation links for residents of Alausí canton and travelers along this key corridor.
