29 FEBRUARY / 2024 / 14:28
On February 27th, the 10th anniversary of the establishment of "Baku Metro" CJSC was celebrated. The institution was founded in 2014 by the decree of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev through the merger of Baku Metro and "Azertunelmetrotikinti" Joint Stock Company.
A conference named "Unchanging Values, Changing Opportunities," dedicated to the 10th year of the institution's operation under its new status, has been conducted. The event, featuring five panels, was attended by leaders and representatives of organizations that have closely collaborated with the metro over the past decade. The session was moderated by the renowned journalist, presenter, and director of “ASAN Radio”, Emin Musevi.
He introduced the event, providing information about its format and the issues to be discussed. Following a moment of silence to remember the late national leader Heydar Aliyev, our martyrs, and deceased metro employees, the National Anthem was played.
The main panel, linked to the conference's theme, discussed the immutable values and the evolving and emerging opportunities over time.
Zaur Huseynov, the chairman of "Baku Metro" CJSC, shared brief thoughts on the past decade, commemorating the dearly departed employees and discussing the collective's role in the achievements over these years. He highlighted that the main task set by President Ilham Aliyev at the establishment of the Joint Stock Company was to bring leading global technologies, new management systems, and advanced world practices to the metro. He noted that through the dedication and sacrifice of the collective, significant strides have been made in this direction.
Samir Mammadov, deputy minister of Digital Development and Transport and a member of the "Baku Metro" CJSC's Supervisory Board, spoke about the development and integration of transport, particularly public transport, in recent years. He discussed the role of the metro, the activities of the Supervisory Board established by the Presidential Decree, and the tasks ahead.
Ruslan Alihanov, the chief executive officer of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding, discussed the benefits of transferring the management of "Baku Metro" CJSC to the Holding and talked about the positive impacts of the new management model and future plans.
Moderator Emin Musevi made the panel discussion more interesting by asking thought-provoking questions related to the development of the metro and its impact on the community.
In the second panel, dedicated to high cultural service standards in technology, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Rauf Hajiyev spoke mostly about the announcement of 2024 as the “Year of Solidarity for a Green World” and the upcoming COP29 event in our country in this context. He valued the metro as an ecological mode of transportation, especially highlighting its role during the significant upcoming event and discussing projects implemented with the metro, including efficient use of groundwater, tree planting campaigns, and other issues.
Hidayat Mammadov, the deputy chairman of "Baku Metro" CJSC, discussed major projects undertaken, including replacing wooden sleepers with locally produced reinforced concrete blocks and the complete modernization of the reinforced concrete production area. He spoke about the renovation of stations and highlighted the importance of these works, demonstrating the significance of renovations at stations like “Nizami”, “Sahil”, “Bakmil”, “Khatai”, “Academy of Sciences”, and “Jafar Jabbarly”. He characterized the creation of a test track and a new type of dispatch management center at the “Narimanov” electric depot as a historic technical achievement. He described the protection of tunnels as one of the metro's most significant ongoing tasks, mentioning the successful implementation of the most extensive and complex projects in shafts and track areas.
Namiq Yusubov, head of the "Baku Metro" CJSC's Production-Technical Department, discussed the most important innovative digital projects of recent years. He highlighted the transition to digital technologies in the repair process of trains, which not only marks a significant achievement but also significantly improves the quality of repair processes in the depot. He mentioned the fire suppression system tested as a pilot project on trains, its central management functions, and, importantly, its benefits in continuously monitoring the equipment and components of the train. Another technical innovative success is the diagnostic complex. Previously, after checks using a track measuring car, it took days to analyze only three parameters on paper, while the new complex provides precise technical opinions based on over 80 parameters with more than 120 measurements and immediately transmits all data to the respective fields. Yusubov also addressed the main factors characterizing the Baku metro as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, including the new train wash system, undercarriage equipment blowing systems, recuperation systems, and greening projects.
Moderator Emin Musevi engaged with the panel participants through thematic questions and facilitated an exchange of ideas on various topics.
Sabir Gocayev, head of the Department of Disability Policy at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, opened the third panel dedicated to "Modern Requirements as the Primary Standard for Innovations". He began by highly appreciating the projects conducted jointly with the Baku metro, especially those concerning passengers with limited physical abilities, and discussed aspects of labor organization and social protection of workers while highlighting the fruitful cooperation with the metro.
Faiq Ahmadov, head of the "Baku Metro" CJSC's Depots Department, presented the new generation of carriages and the local organization of their service and technical maintenance using visual aids. He shared his thoughts on the application of innovative solutions in the depot, which has been operational since 1967, and the reconstruction of repair areas. He specifically emphasized the importance of organizing comprehensive repairs and modernization locally as a turning point in wagon repair. He also mentioned new technologies applied in the complete automation of wagons and another significant innovation in the field of engine repair, where overall, the quality of repairs has increased by up to 80%. This area serves not only the repair of wagon engines but also all engineering and technical devices.
Rufat Qadeshov, head of the "Baku Metro" CJSC's Training and Education Center, discussed the activities of his department, devoting considerable space to the first-time courses for selection and training of machinists and dispatchers. He provided statistical information on higher and specialized secondary education, as well as mutual activities with relevant state institutions, and spoke about joint projects. The center's director also mentioned unique projects for selecting young people.
Moderator Emin Musevi addressed the panel participants with thematic questions, leading to an exchange of views on various issues.
The fourth panel, titled "Years Bringing Paths Together", featured an awards ceremony for the institutions, organizations, specialists, and public activists who have served the metro during the period of mutual cooperation. The guests expressed their heartfelt words, wishing Baku metro success and exemplary service in the coming years.
The conference concluded with a concert program by professional musicians.
