Russian deputy PM: Heydar Aliyev inscribed his name 'in golden letters' in history of BAM's construction

The Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM), the construction of which was supervised by Heydar Aliyev, still plays a huge role in the Russian economy, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on March 4 at the ceremony of installing a memorial plaque at the site of the future monument to Heydar Aliyev in the Russian capital, Report informs.

Sobyanin noted that last year, Russia celebrated the 50th anniversary of the BAM’s construction, one of the most monumental projects of the Soviet Union, which continues to play a crucial role in the country's economy.

"This year, the community of BAM builders asked to install a monument to Heydar Aliyev," Sobyanin explained. "The Russian Government and Russian Railways fully supported this initiative, and the Moscow City Duma Commission also endorsed it. Today, I signed an order to build this monument here, in the park next to the Azerbaijani embassy."

Vitaly Savelyev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, remarked that Heydar Aliyev had inscribed his name "in golden letters" in the history of BAM's construction. Aliyev not only supervised the project on behalf of the USSR's Council of Ministers, but also lived through it.

"I am very pleased to greet the BAM veterans, who dedicated much of their lives to this project," Savelyev added. "For us, this is a significant moment, and we will continue to develop the BAM in a new phase. The importance of this railway for our country cannot be overstated. The eternal memory of Heydar Aliyev will always remain in our hearts."