President Aliyev launches major Hakarichay Reservoir project in Lachin PHOTO

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation stone for the Hakarichay Reservoir in the Lachin district on July 11, marking the start of a major water infrastructure project aimed at strengthening regional supply and management.

Zaur Mikayilov, Chairman of the State Water Resources Agency, briefed the president on the project’s scope and technical specifications, Caliber.Az reports, referencing state media.

Under the plan, a reservoir with a total capacity of 100 million cubic metres and a useful storage capacity of 90 million cubic metres will be constructed on the Hakarichay River, which originates within Azerbaijan. The project also envisages the construction of a 172-kilometre main pipeline with a discharge capacity of 8 cubic metres per second.

The system is designed to supply high-quality drinking water at a rate of 2.5 cubic metres per second to around 700,000 residents across the districts of Lachin, Gubadli, Zangilan, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Khojavand and Aghdam.

In addition, the project includes the construction of three hydroelectric power plants along the main pipeline, with a combined installed capacity of 10.81 megawatts.

Officials say the Hakarichay Reservoir will play a key role in ensuring a sustainable supply of drinking water and improving water resource management in the liberated territories. It is also expected to enhance regional water security, support supply to other major cities, and contribute to broader socio-economic development.