On May 10, the 102nd anniversary of Azerbaijan’s National Leader Heydar Aliyev, President Ilham Aliyev attended the official opening ceremony of the Aghdam railway and bus terminal complex.
According to AZERTAC, Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev and Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Rovshan Rustamov briefed the head of state on the Barda–Aghdam railway project, the ongoing construction of the Barda–Aghdam–Khankendi railway, and the Khankendi railway and bus terminal complexes. It was noted that the foundation of the Aghdam railway and bus terminal complex was laid on October 4, 2022, with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.
The railway station will facilitate the daily transport of 800 to 1,000 passengers. The bus terminal is expected to serve 1,300 to 1,500 passengers each day, with both facilities operating as an integrated transport hub. Following this, the first symbolic passenger train departed along the Barda–Aghdam railway line.
It should be noted that as part of the large-scale reconstruction efforts in the liberated regions, special emphasis is being placed on the implementation of critical road and transport infrastructure projects. By enhancing the accessibility of public transportation in the region, the Aghdam railway and bus terminal complex will also make a significant contribution to the socio-economic revival of the area and the expansion of interregional connectivity. It will play a vital role in ensuring comfortable travel for compatriots returning to their homeland from other cities and districts, while also strengthening Azerbaijan’s overall transport capacity. At the same time, the implementation of such a significant infrastructure project serves as a clear example of the consistent progress being made in the transport sector of our country, strategically located at the crossroads of the East-West and North-South corridors.
On May 10, President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva also participated in the opening of the Aghdam Mugham Center. The 474-seat concert hall is fully equipped to host a variety of cultural events, including mugham concerts. The center includes 15 classrooms, an exhibition hall, a conference room, and additional facilities. The Mugham Center complex also features an open-air amphitheater with a seating capacity of 615. The center will play a crucial role in restoring the pre-occupation glory of the ancient art of mugham—the jewel of the Karabakh region—in educating and promoting mugham, as well as in fostering a love for this traditional Azerbaijani musical genre among the younger generation.
It should be noted that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, chaired by Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, makes a significant contribution to our country’s ongoing efforts to promote and develop mugham. Under the organization and support of the Foundation, projects of national and international significance are being implemented, through which Azerbaijani mugham was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”
At the event, President Ilham Aliyev spoke about the life of Heydar Aliyev, emphasizing that the entire life and work of the great leader were dedicated to the Azerbaijani people and the state, and that today’s Azerbaijan is his creation. Over the past 22 years, many significant events have taken place both globally and in our country. However, the strategic course was set by the great leader, and we have not deviated from it even for a single step. Today, Karabakh is being revived and rebuilt, the head of state said. Over the four and a half years since the Second Karabakh War, extensive construction and restoration work has been carried out across all the liberated territories.
Karabakh University is currently operating in Khankendi, where more than 8,000 people live. At the same time, the road from Khankendi to Shusha is becoming shorter through the newly opened railway complex. And it is we who are shortening this route - expanding and improving it so that the journey from Khankendi to Shusha takes no more than 10 minutes. We also have another idea: we are working on a cable road project that will connect Shusha with Khankendi. I should also note that construction of a cable road in the city of Lachin will most likely begin this year. A similar project is planned for Kalbajar as well. In other words, this will be an excellent means of transportation, both from a tourism perspective and in terms of providing comfortable mobility for people.
The President highlighted the Aghdam-Barda highway, the Aghdam-Khankendi-Shusha route, the railway, various infrastructure projects, and the restoration of historical monuments - noting that the first building to be restored was the Aghdam Juma Mosque. At present, restoration work is underway at the Giyasli Mosque. Residential complexes are being built, and two hotels have already been constructed. The Imaret complex has been restored, and the Khachinchay reservoir is being put into operation to supply irrigation water to farmland. Many other projects are also being implemented. All of this pertains solely to the Aghdam district.
Extensive reconstruction operations in Karabakh have been underway for over four years, and one of the most significant achievements has been the successful progress of restoration work in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur over the past year. Around 10,000 former internally displaced persons have already returned to these lands, where excellent living conditions have been created for them. In total, more than 30,000 people now live and work in the liberated territories, engaged in new enterprises, social facilities, and construction projects. Since 2021 until today, Azerbaijan has allocated over 19 billion manats for the restoration of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, and the implementation of the «Great Return» program will continue to be a priority for us, the President emphasized.
Within the framework of the 2025 state budget, an allocation of 4 billion manats is envisaged for extensive reconstruction work on the lands liberated from occupation. It is noted that since 2020, including 2024, approximately 17.5 billion manats have been allocated from the state budget for restoration purposes. Having created new realities in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan is experiencing a phase of intensive growth on the lands freed from occupation.
The work carried out in 2024 towards the implementation of the First State Program «Great Return» has been truly remarkable. Mine clearance in the territories liberated from occupation, restoration of cities and villages, resettlement of the population, and the creation of socio-economic infrastructure in these regions are the primary tasks facing the Azerbaijani government.
Work in this area continued at a rapid pace and with high quality throughout 2024 as well. During his regular visits to Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the reconstruction efforts, took part in the inauguration of residential settlements and key infrastructure facilities, as well as in foundation-laying ceremonies.
It can be stated with confidence that, as in previous years, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s achievements will continue to grow in 2025. The restoration of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur is progressing at a remarkable pace, and soon these regions will become some of the most modern, comfortable, and beautiful places not only in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus but in the entire world.
