Greater Baku plan to provide new public transport, airport
By Nazrin Gadimova
The Greater Baku Regional Development Plan involves the introduction of new types of public transport, head of the group executing the Greater Baku development project, Novruz Eldarli, said on July 15.
"Currently it is necessary to effectively implement new types of public transport in Baku - light rail, skytrains, metrobuses, etc. Road construction within the city and beyond is proposed, particularly from Baku to the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Sumgayit and Alat [a settlement near the capital city]," Eldarli said.
He also believes that it is appropriate to implement commuter trains.
"Commuter trains can run on average distances so that people would be able to commute with intermediate stops. For example, a line from Sumgayit to Alat may have Alat-Sangachal-Lokbatan-Hyrdalan-Sumgayit stations. Getting off at these stations, the person can get wherever he or she wants by using the local transport. They will be similar to the existing trains, but they must be more high-speed and comfortable," Eldarli said.
According to Eldarli, the project envisions the development and modernization of public transport, the expansion of its network, improving its quality, convenience, and improved access to it.
"Daily use of a car should be a disadvantage at distances of up to 20 kilometers. A car is irrelevant within the city today. A car should be a means of transport for middle and long distances (25 kilometers or more)," Eldarli said.
The project also provides for the development of the road network in Baku.
According to Eldarli, it is necessary to work not only to expand the roads, but also to create new alternative routes by increasing their number.
The Greater Baku Regional Development Plan also envisions the construction of a new international airport near the Azerbaijani capital.
According to Eldarli, it is proposed to build a new airport to the south of the Alat settlement.
"In the future, Alat will be the new logistics, trade, oil and gas center of Azerbaijan. The geographical location of this settlement is favorable for the main transportation lines of the country to pass through it. Currently an international trading port is under construction in this area, and the Sangachal oil and gas refining complex will be built, as well as the production of petrochemicals will be launched in the coming years. The region has good potential for the creation of enterprises producing construction materials, as well as for the development of the food and textile industries, fisheries, etc. We propose to turn Alat into a dynamically developing satellite city," he said.
In addition, the implementation of plans on the construction of artificial Khazar Islands near Alat as well as establishing residential and entertainment facilities on their territory will boost tourism in this area.
The development of this area brings to the forefront the question of building a new international airport, as the current Baku airport - Heydar Aliyev International Airport - is quite far from Alat.
Azerbaijan and the World Bank signed a loan agreement in 2007 to develop the Greater Baku Regional Development Plan. The plan has been developed through coordination with Baku State Design Institute.
According to preliminary estimates, the average cost of the Greater Baku Regional Development Plan may reach 4-5 billion manats (up to over $6.3 billion).
Under the plan, the street and road network of the city will increase by hundreds of kilometers, the number of polluted lakes and urban pollution will be significantly reduced; parks and public gardens will be created in an area of 34,000 hectares.
The Plan envisions future development of the city with its 11 surrounding areas, Sumgayit, the country's third largest city, and the entire Absheron Peninsula until 2030.
The project is currently being discussed by relevant government agencies. The final version will be approved in the next few months.