Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) is set begin major rehabilitation and reconstruction works on a key central railway line linking Yevlakh and Barda, amid growing transport demand.
No significant works have been carried out on the Yevlakh–Barda line since 1967, and the existing infrastructure no longer meets modern standards. The ageing infrastructure, which has been in operation for nearly 60 years, currently limits train speeds to between 10 and 60 km/h. Once the planned rehabilitation and reconstruction works are completed, train speeds on the line will increase significantly, reducing journey times for passengers.
In this context, the strategic projects currently being implemented are playing an important role in reshaping the region’s transport infrastructure. On 10 May 2025, Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the Aghdam Railway and Bus Terminal Complex, enabling the resumption of regular passenger services to Karabakh after a 30-year suspension. Following its launch, the Baku–Aghdam–Baku route quickly became one of the country’s busiest passenger services.
With the start of the Yevlakh–Barda modernisation works, train services on the Baku–Aghdam–Baku route will be temporarily suspended. The project aims to upgrade railway infrastructure in line with international standards in order to ensure safer and more reliable passenger and freight transport, as well as faster, more sustainable and uninterrupted rail connectivity. At the same time, safety measures will be strengthened along railway lines running through residential areas.
Modernisation of the Yevlakh–Barda line and railway network expansion
The reconstruction of the central railway line will support the development of a modern railway infrastructure extending from Yevlakh to Khankendi, an important city in the Karabakh region in the south-west of the country. The project will also contribute to the creation of an integrated and modern national railway network, supporting more efficient and better coordinated regional connectivity. As a result, the efficiency and reliability of passenger and freight transport services are expected to improve significantly.
At the same time, ADY is rapidly advancing the construction of the Aghdam–Khankendi railway line, as well as the Khankendi Railway and Bus Terminal Complex, whose foundation stone was laid by President Ilham Aliyev in July last year. The Aghdam–Khankendi line will mark the next stage in restoring long-suspended passenger rail services on the Baku–Khankendi route.
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