Lachin's revival: Tramway, cable car, houses with solar panels, hotels and much more What else awaits residents and tourists?

The second phase of the reconstruction of Azerbaijan’s Lachin District is set to commence closer to spring next year, according to Tofig Islamov, the acting executive director of the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service in the Lachin District.

He made this announcement during a panel discussion at the Caspian Construction Week, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“As part of the ‘Great Return’ program, we have resettled 846 families (over 3,000 people) to date. Currently, 226 houses have been restored in Lachin District, and people have already moved in. These works were carried out during the first phase. We are currently conducting design work for the second phase of restoration. According to our plans, these works will be completed by the beginning of next year. I believe that we will start the second phase closer to spring, which includes the restoration of houses, roads, tourist zones, hotels, and apartment buildings. We also plan to create new industrial facilities, which will provide more employment opportunities,” Islamov stated.

He also highlighted the environmental considerations being integrated into the restoration efforts. “In line with the COP29 plan for environmental protection, we are actively implementing technologies for utilizing renewable energy sources. Specifically, solar panels have been installed on the rooftops of buildings, and street lighting is being powered by hybrid solar lamps,” he added.

In total, 24 houses will have solar panels installed to ensure a stable energy supply, while 90 houses are already connected to solar collectors, he said.

“In the villages of Zabukh and Sus, as well as on the rooftops of two schools and administrative buildings, solar panels have been installed. The region also operates 11 small hydropower plants, generating over 80 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy, saving more than 20 million cubic meters of natural gas, and preventing the emission of over 32 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,” Islamov concluded.

Additionally, Islamov revealed plans for the design and construction of various facilities in Lachin, including a hotel, galleries, catering establishments, a concert hall, a theatre, and creative centres, as well as the laying of an electric tram line.

“As Heydar Aliyev Street is intended as a tourist zone, a cable car will be built through the city to the boulevard along the Hakari River,” he added.

Meanwhile, during the event, Tural Novruzov, executive director of the Shusha State Reserve Administration, highlighted the construction works in Shusha, saying new residential buildings will be built in Shusha and resettlement of people will continue.

“Works on restoration of monuments continue in Shusha. A significant number of citizens have visited the city this year. In accordance with the Great Return programme, restoration and reconstruction works continue in Shusha,” he added.

By Khagan Isayev