The reconstruction works carried out in the liberated territories are truly astonishing. Looking at the infrastructure and other projects implemented over the five years since the Victory, it becomes clear how vast the scale of the accomplished work is.
One of the most important parts of these efforts is, without a doubt, the projects being implemented on the Azerbaijani side of the Zangazur Corridor. Along the road stretching from Horadiz to the Aghband settlement of Zangilan, the revival of Karabakh and East Zangazur, as well as the construction of new highways, tunnels, and bridges, demonstrate how rapidly life is being restored in once-devastated lands. Today, here on the southwestern border of Azerbaijan, two major projects that define the country’s economic future are being carried out — the Horadiz–Jabrayil–Zangilan–Aghband highway and the Horadiz–Aghband railway.
Horadiz–Aghband Railway
Javad Alovsatov, Construction Manager at the Construction Project Management Department of “Azerbaijan Railways” CJSC, stated that the construction of the Horadiz–Aghband railway line is being carried out in three stages. The first stage covers the Horadiz-Yukhari Marjanli-Shukurbeyli-Soltanli sections. A large part of the work in this section has already been completed, and cargo transportation to the Araz Industrial Park is currently being carried out via the railway.
The second stage connects the Soltanli, Gumlag, Hakari, and Minjivan stations. According to Alovsatov, earthworks and the construction of engineering structures are ongoing in this section. It is precisely here that Azerbaijan’s longest railway bridge has been built — a 771-meter-long, 23-span structure, which stands as one of the most significant engineering achievements of this project.
In the third stage, work is being carried out on tunnels and protective galleries. Seventy-one percent of the tunnel construction has already been completed. The gallery located at the 99th kilometer of the railway line serves a special protective purpose, as it is surrounded by steep rocky cliffs. The gallery is 108 meters long and made of monolithic reinforced concrete.
At present, 68 percent of the 110-kilometer-long Horadiz–Aghband railway line has been completed. Superstructure installations have already been carried out along a 66-kilometer section. According to Javad Alovsatov, although the final completion date depends on technical and organizational factors, the work is progressing according to plan.
Horadiz–Jabrayil–Zangilan–Aghband Highway
Ziyaddin Hasanov, a specialist at the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads, emphasizes that the construction of the Horadiz–Jabrayil–Zangilan–Aghband highway is being carried out in accordance with first technical category standards. Of the 123.6-kilometer-long highway, 78.5 kilometers consist of six lanes, while 45.1 kilometers have four lanes. The width of the carriageway is 14 and 21 meters, and the width of the roadbed is 21.5 and 29 meters.
Ninety-five percent of the main road’s construction has been completed.
According to Hasanov, 8 interchanges, 44 underpasses, 5 overpasses, and 314 engineering structures of various diameters have been built along this road. The total length of the three tunnels is 12 kilometers. Construction of 23 out of 24 bridges has already been completed, while work on one bridge is still ongoing. As an alternative, the Horadiz–Jabrayil–Zangilan road has already been put into operation. The construction of the new highway is expected to be completed in the second half of next year.
Azerbaijan’s transit role strengthens
The Horadiz–Aghband railway and highway are not only crucial for the economic revival of Karabakh and East Zangazur but also serve as key infrastructure pillars for the realization of Azerbaijan’s Zangazur Corridor concept. These projects will not only ensure a land connection between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan but will also open a new transportation route to Türkiye and further to Europe.
Once completed, the projects will enable the transportation of an additional 15 million tons of cargo annually through the Middle Corridor. This will not only increase Azerbaijan’s transit revenues but also transform the country into one of the main logistics hubs of the region.
Zangazur Corridor – A new geoeconomic stage
In recent years, the geoeconomic landscape of the South Caucasus has been undergoing significant change, with Azerbaijan emerging as the main driving force behind this transformation. The Zangazur Corridor — or, as it is presented internationally, the TRIPP (“Transport Route for International Peace and Prosperity”) — has already evolved from a political concept into a tangible economic reality.
The legal foundation of the corridor was established in Clause 9 of the trilateral declaration of 2020. Later, during negotiations mediated by the United States, the project was incorporated into an international consortium model. According to President Ilham Aliyev, the work carried out by Azerbaijan on its own territory will be completed by mid-2026, and if progress continues at the same pace in other countries, the corridor will be fully operational by the end of 2028.
In parallel, Azerbaijan is also constructing an alternative route known as the Araz Corridor — the Aghband–Kelaleh bridge. This bridge is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025 and will serve as an additional route securing the Baku–Nakhchivan connection.
The ongoing works and implemented projects in the area make it clear that the Zangazur Corridor is no longer just a concept on paper — it is a reality being built with earth, concrete, and steel. The rails, bridges, tunnels, and highways are shaping the future economic map of Azerbaijan. Once this project is fully completed, the country will not only become a key player in the region but also a strategic transit hub within the entire Eurasian transportation network.
The region will serve as a hub in terms of both railway and highway connections. Today, Azerbaijan is meticulously fulfilling its obligations regarding the opening of the Zangazur Corridor. This also demonstrates that the country remains true to its commitments and promises. The process initiated by the November 10, 2020 declaration is continuing at full strength today. Having achieved a historic Victory in the Patriotic War, Azerbaijan has established new realities in the region, and one of the key components of this new reality is the opening of the Zangazur Corridor and other transport routes.
Victorious Azerbaijan, setting aside all ambitions, is now extending a hand to Armenia for the development of the region and the prosperity of the South Caucasus, while diligently fulfilling its own commitments. The ongoing works and infrastructure projects along the Horadiz–Aghband line demonstrate that the Azerbaijani section of the Zangazur Corridor will be completed in the near future.
