President Aliyev reviews village restoration efforts in Shusha district PHOTO

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited Kichik Galaderesi village in the Shusha district on July 11, where he reviewed the ongoing restoration of housing and infrastructure and met with residents who have returned to the settlement.

Aydin Karimov, the President’s Special Representative in the Shusha district, briefed Aliyev on the progress of reconstruction works, Caliber.Az reports via state media.

Kichik Galaderesi comprises 66 individual houses, of which 19 are beyond repair, and 47 are suitable for restoration. Currently, 26 houses are ready for occupancy, while the remaining 21 are scheduled for completion next year. At the initial stage of resettlement, 15 families, totalling 51 people, have returned to the village. By the end of the year, an additional 11 families, comprising 45 people, are expected to relocate.

A range of projects aimed at rebuilding social infrastructure has been completed. New gas and water supply lines have been installed, an artesian well has been restored, and 26 houses have been connected to the water network. A transformer substation has been commissioned, overhead power lines have been rehabilitated, and internal village roads have been asphalted. In addition, a park and a Flag Square have been constructed.

Kichik Galaderesi is part of the Galaderesi administrative-territorial district within Shusha and lies approximately 40 kilometres southwest of the district centre. The village was occupied by Armenian armed forces in 1992 and returned to Azerbaijan’s control following anti-terror measures conducted in 2023.

Prior to the occupation, residents were primarily engaged in livestock farming, vegetable cultivation and beekeeping. The village had a secondary school, kindergarten, cultural centre, library, medical station and communications office.

During the visit, President Aliyev also called on the home of local resident Asad Asadov and later met with returning villagers.