ADB allocates $652 million for Azerbaijan rail and metro modernization

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated more than $652 million in loans for modernizing railway and metro infrastructure in Azerbaijan. The projects cover Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) and Baku Metropoliteni, both companies under AZCON Holding.

The largest loan, $350 million, will fund electrification, signalling and telecommunications systems on the 192-kilometre double-track Biləcəri–Yalama railway, a key link on the North–South and North–West International Transport Corridors. Once works are complete, the line will switch from direct to alternating current, which is expected to cut energy use, maintenance costs and greenhouse gas emissions while raising train speeds.

ADB has also approved $302.38 million for upgrading the Baku Metro's signalling system and digitalizing its operations. The project is part of the Azerbaijani government's Baku Metropoliteni expansion programme, aimed at increasing service coverage and capacity and reducing traffic congestion in the capital and surrounding areas.