Working Group on Transport, Communications and High Technologies held regular meeting in Khankendi
The Working Group on Transport, Communications and High Technologies operating under the Interdepartmental Center of the Coordination Headquarters established for centralized resolution of issues in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation has held its regular meeting in the city of Khankendi.
At the meeting, information of the relevant bodies about the work done in connection with the implementation of the tasks defined in the field of transport and communication infrastructure in the “I State Programme on the Great Return to the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, as well as about ongoing projects and upcoming plans. The current situation related to the implementation of the projects, the difficulties encountered and the ways to solve them were thoroughly discussed.
Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport, head of the Working Group Rahman Hummatov said that in accordance with the state programme, such strategic projects as restoration and construction of roads and railways in these territories, construction of new airports and installation of telecommunication networks are currently being implemented.
Rahman Hummatov noted that 65 percent of work on construction of Lachin airport have been completed. According to the schedule, 26 projects on construction of roads with a total length of 2500 kilometres are being implemented.
According to him, work on construction of Barda–Aghdam (47.1 kilometres) and Horadiz–Aghband (110.4 kilometres) railway lines are also underway. The physical progress made on the projects is 92.5 percent and 52 percent respectively. Work is also under way to prepare design and estimate documentation for the Aghdam-Khankendi railway line.
It was noted that in connection with the return of population to the territories liberated from occupation, construction and renovation work, as well as organization of trips, Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency is working on increasing the number of bus routes on existing directions and opening new routes. In order to expand the scale of tourist trips to Garabagh through the Yolumuz Qarabaga portal, citizens are given the opportunity to visit the cities of Shusha and Lachin, Sugovushan settlement by individual passenger cars.
It was informed that in accordance with the General Plan of Lachin city, a transport plan has been developed to organize intra-city public transport services, and similar work is ongoing in Shusha city. In addition, based on the analysis conducted, a draft transport plan of Khankendi city has been developed, which contains planned intra-city route lines and route scheme, number and location of bus stops, inter-city route network and routes, as well as planned work and proposals for the establishment of bus terminal and bus depot in Khankendi city.
The issues of creation of necessary road and transport infrastructure, organization of public transport, passenger transportation and telecommunication services, existing demand and opportunities in the territories envisaged for settlement in the near future, including Khojaly and Khankendi cities, Kerkijahan settlement and Malibeyli village were widely discussed at the meeting.
The Deputy Minister then informed about the work done and planned in the field of radio and television broadcasting, mobile communication and fixed telephone communication network in the territories liberated from occupation. According to him, at present 10 TV and 7 radio programmes are broadcasted on the territory through the restored radio-television broadcasting stations. A total of 300 base stations have been installed to provide mobile communication services, including in the territories liberated from occupation as a result of anti-terrorist measures. Telephone and high-speed Internet services are provided in Shusha, Lachin, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Khankendi and other territories.
Elmir Velizadeh, Head of the Sector of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Avaz Gojayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan, Heydar Rustamov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency, Elman Hasanov, Acting Director General of Teleradio PA, Tural Pirverdiyev, Acting Director General of Aztelecom LLC and others also addressed the meeting. Noting the importance of infrastructure projects implemented in accordance with the “I State Programme on the Great Return to the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, the speakers talked about their implementation by relevant entities by coordinating through the Interdepartmental Center, constant control over mine safety measures in the territories, resettlement of the population in rebuilt settlements, employment and upcoming tasks.
The meeting adopted relevant decisions on the timely implementation of measures envisaged in the state programme in the sphere, taking joint measures with relevant bodies, as well as the need to use modern technologies in construction and restoration work and other issues.
Within the framework of the visit the condition of internal road-transport network of Khankendi city, progress of work on creation of telecommunication network and organization of communication services in the city, construction of internal road-transport and communication networks of Aghdam city, as well as laying of Barda–Aghdam, Aghdam–Askeran–Khojaly–Khankendi–Shusha roads were considered.