Azerbaijan’s Horadiz-Aghband railway nears halfway mark, boosting regional connectivity PHOTO

The construction of the Horadiz-Aghband railway line, a pivotal project within the Zangezur Corridor, is progressing steadily, with 63 per cent of the construction and installation work completed.

Design work has advanced to 83 per cent completion, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY).

The extensive project will see the creation of 534 engineering structures, including bridges and tunnels, along with eight new stations and the installation of 70 railway switches, all aimed at modernising and enhancing the country’s rail infrastructure.

Once fully completed, the Horadiz-Aghband railway line will provide a vital link between Azerbaijan’s mainland and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, improving connectivity and transport efficiency. Additionally, this railway line is expected to serve as an integral part of the Middle Corridor, which is designed to bolster cargo transport across the “East-West-East” route. 

The Zangezur Corridor is a proposed transport route designed to connect Azerbaijan’s mainland with its exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, bypassing through Armenia’s Syunik Province. Strongly backed by Azerbaijan and Türkiye, the project is a major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity. However, it also remains a highly contentious issue, with Armenia and Iran firmly in opposition. The corridor is further entangled in broader geopolitical dynamics involving Russia and other global players. The envisioned forty-three-kilometer corridor would traverse Armenia’s Syunik region, serving as a vital connection between Horadiz in Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan. 

By Naila Huseynova