A round-table discussion marking the 40th anniversary of the metro was held in Nizhny Novgorod.

      September 29, 2025 18:17 Society

      A round table titled "40 Years of the Nizhny Novgorod Metro: From Concept to Implementation" was held in Nizhny Novgorod, organized by Rossiyskaya Gazeta with the participation of the Russian Ecological Movement and the general contractor for the construction of the new stations — the Mosproekt-3 group of companies, and with the support of the municipal enterprise "Nizhny Novgorod Metro."

      The meeting took place on September 26 at the House of National Unity and opened a series of public events timed to the metro’s 40th anniversary. Participants discussed the history of construction and prospects for the further development of the transport system. The focus was on key stages — from design to the commissioning of the first stations.

      Representatives of different generations gathered around one table — students from Nizhny Novgorod universities and veterans of the Komsomol movement who took part in the construction and launch of the metro in the city of Gorky.

      Nikolai Leontyev, head of educational programs at JSC Atomenergoproject, who during the years of active construction served as first secretary of the Gorky City Komsomol Committee, shared his memories. He noted that the appearance of the metro transformed the urban environment, accelerated the development of new microdistricts, stimulated the creation of enterprises, and made city life more convenient.

      Viktor Zhidovkin, a veteran of the Leninist Komsomol and now chairman of the Council of Territorial Public Self-Government of the youth housing complex "Meshchersky," spoke about his experience. He recalled with what enthusiasm young people joined the construction and emphasized the importance of passing on experience to future generations to ensure the successful development of the city without repeating past mistakes.

      Young people took an active part in the discussion. Students not only listened to the veterans’ recollections but also asked questions about how the lessons of the first builders can be applied today. In response they received a kind of admonition — to take into account all the difficulties and achievements of their predecessors when creating future infrastructure projects.

      Alexander Makhin, First Deputy Director of the municipal enterprise "Nizhny Novgorod Metro," noted that despite financial and technical difficulties, the team managed to build and competently launch a unique transport system, including tunnels, infrastructure, and rolling stock. He addressed the architects of Mosproekt-3 with a wish to design stations in a more utilitarian manner, emphasizing their main function — providing fast and comfortable passenger transportation.

      "Our metro is unique in many respects: its shallow-depth format, the presence of a metro bridge, and an early operating schedule. It’s no coincidence that we open as early as 5:15. Then as now, the metro’s task is to get people to where they need to be quickly and reliably," Makhin emphasized.

      The importance of the metro was echoed by Elmurod Rasulmukhamedov, head of the ecomonitoring group of the Public Council under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia. He noted that the launch of the metro had a positive impact on Gorky’s environment, allowing residents to leave industrial zones and move to outlying areas while retaining access to jobs. According to him, the metro not only reduces health risks but should also remain attractive to passengers, combining speed with aesthetics.

      Summing up, Alexander Sysoev, director of Rossiyskaya Gazeta, noted that the round table became an important platform for discussion, allowing historical experience to be connected with contemporary challenges. The next event in the series is planned for November 2025, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Nizhny Novgorod Metro.

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