Azerbaijan allocates $8.2 million for essential utility development in Karabakh

More than $8.29 million will be spent on gas, water, electricity, and low-current works in the Jahangirbeyli rural settlement of the Zangilan district, which has been liberated from occupation, according to information from the unified internet portal of public procurement.

Preparations have begun by the Service of Rehabilitation, Construction, and Management in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts for the realization of these works, Caliber.Az reports citing the data. 

It is anticipated that the utility works in Jahangirbeyli will cost a total of $8,296,530.

It should be noted that the foundation-laying ceremony for Jahangirbeyli village in the Zangilan district took place on May 4, 2023. The designated area for the village spans 179.5 hectares and is planned to accommodate 2,520 people (573 families) in the future.

In the initial phase, 242 individual houses with two, three, four, and five rooms are set to be constructed in Jahangirbeyli. Reports indicate that 1,200 individuals will be the first to resettle in the village. Alongside individual houses, there are also plans to build three-story block buildings.

The village will feature various facilities, including a school, kindergarten, administrative building, community center, guest house, multifunctional building, market complex, sports and recreation center, craft workshop, medical center, ceremonial hall, and catering facilities.

President Ilham Aliyev has laid the foundation stone for Jahangirbeyli village.

The Azerbaijani government is making significant investments to transform Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur into thriving economic centers. The “2022-2026 Social and Economic Development Strategy of Azerbaijan” and the “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development” programs provide a comprehensive framework for revitalizing these regions. Since 2021, over $10.37 billion has been allocated from the state budget for ongoing reconstruction efforts.

A critical element of the reconstruction initiative is the implementation of the “I State Program on the Great Return to the Territories Liberated from Occupation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” This program underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable resettlement and development in these areas. As the first step, demining activities were initiated, resulting in the clearance of 1,536,652,787 square meters of land from mines and unexploded ordnance between 2020 and 2024.

The “Great Return” program, designed to facilitate the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their homes, is a cornerstone of rehabilitation efforts. As of August 2024, approximately 8,000 individuals have returned to their native lands, with plans to accommodate up to 34,500 families (or 140,000 individuals) by the end of the first stage in late 2026.

To support economic growth and resettlement efforts under this program, the Azerbaijani government is implementing comprehensive measures aimed at developing workplaces, providing decent living conditions, and ensuring sustainable regional development.

Returnees will receive modern housing, infrastructure, and essential services as part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to establish sustainable living conditions in the liberated territories. In addition to basic infrastructure, the government is prioritizing the creation of economic opportunities for those resettling in the region. Initiatives in agriculture, small business development, and other economic projects are being launched to facilitate their reintegration and stimulate the local economy. This comprehensive strategy aims to ensure that individuals returning to Karabakh can do so in a secure, stable, and prosperous environment.

By Tamilla Hasanova