The transport sector plays an important role in ensuring traffic in large and growing cities, among which is Baku, the statement was made at the opening of Tunnels and Underground Infrastructure of Urban Areas International Congress and Exhibition in Baku.
The development of underground space is important in the present circumstances. Creation of underground shopping centers, cinemas and other facilities in the service sector is urgent.
A great role in the development of underground space belongs to construction of new subway lines. A lot of attention is given to the expansion of lines and the creation of new metro stations in Azerbaijan, as indicated by the approved 20-year state program of Baku Metro development.
International Tunneling And Underground Space Association head In-Mo Lee said that the Association of Azerbaijan tunnel builders became a member of this international organization 1.5 years ago, but in that short period it has become its active participant, as evidenced by holding such important event in Baku.
Holding the congress in Baku will strengthen and develop relations between the members of the organization, and will allow to achieve good results in the further development of this industry.
As part of a 20-year national development plan of the Baku Metro, more than 75 per cent of the capital will be covered.
As part of the metro development plans it is anticipated that two existing lines will be expanded and three new ones will be built. At the end of the programme, the number of subway stations will reach 76 and the length of lines, 119 kilometres.
As part of laying new lines, underground stations will be designed for receiving seven carriages. They will be equipped with modern technologies. Along with the installation of escalators it is planned to install lifts and create all the necessary conditions for disabled people.
The work on reconstructing old subway stations and renewing carriages is underway.
The decision to expand the Baku Metro network is made amid the growth of the capital's population. In particular, Baku Metro carries over 200 million passengers a year. During the day the figure exceeds 500,000 and the maximum daily volume of transport outstrips 750,000 passengers.
Baku Metro plans to carry out the reconstruction of one of three stations - Sahil, Nizami or Khatai in 2013.
By September 15 the first exit of the 28 May station, previously closed for reconstruction, will be commissioned.
Baku Metro will commission the reconstructed exit as scheduled. This number of escalators is increased from three to four (two with width of one meter, two - 80 centimeters).
The work on reconstruction of the outer part of the exit is underway.
This station is of particular importance as it is one of the busiest. It is used by an average of 60,000-65,000 people a day.
Baku Metro in late 2014 - early 2015 plans to commission an additional exit from the Elmler Akademiyasi (Academy of Sciences) station.
All the necessary work is underway within the construction of an additional exit from the station, and it is planned to be commissioned in late 2014 or early 2015.
The project envisages construction of four additional exits, two of which will go to the Baku State University, and the remaining two - to the roads.
Elmler Akademiyasi station is characterised by a large number of passengers because of the large number of universities and state agencies.
Baku Metro development program for the next 20 years will require investments worth 6-7 billion manat.
Laying one kilometer of lines, including the construction of stations and other expenses, require an average of 100-110 million manat. Taking into account that some new metro lines will lie on the surface, 6-7 billion manat will be invested in this project for 20 years.
The project is still fully funded by the state.
Over 300 million manat have been allocated for the program implementation, which was adopted in 2011.
Baku Metro has been operating since 1967 and has 23 stations. Earlier a 20-year program of Baku Metro development has been adopted. In accordance with long-term development scheme, in the future its entire network will consist of five lines compared to the current two.