Putin makes fourth promise in 8 years on Krasnoyarsk metro

Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again pledged to move forward with the Krasnoyarsk metro construction, marking his fourth such promise in the past eight years. The Moscow Times reports that Putin first approved the renewal of metro construction in Krasnoyarsk in 2018. He followed up in 2021 with a promise to support metro development in major Russian cities, including Krasnoyarsk. In 2023, Putin set a new deadline for the Krasnoyarsk metro's completion by 2026.

However, the project's progress remains stalled, with work completion repeatedly postponed. Krasnoyarsk Krai Governor Mikhail Kotyukov announced that project documents are still in preparation, and construction is complicated by numerous problems. Putin himself acknowledged issues related to project financing, stating, "There is money. But the problem is the project cost determined by contractors, supervisory bodies, and state expertise," as cited by TASS.

The governor assured that regional authorities are "making every effort" to finalize the project, which has been in development since 1983. The decades-long Krasnoyarsk metro construction is one of the city's most persistent infrastructure challenges. In 2018, then-Governor Alexander Uss requested Putin's support, reporting that 12 billion rubles (approximately 132 million euros) had already been invested, with an estimated additional 60 billion rubles (around 660 million euros) needed for completion.

In 2021, Putin instructed the Russian government to create a clear, phased plan for metro construction in million-plus cities, including Krasnoyarsk. The 2023 deadline of 2026 was set, with Putin directing federal and regional authorities to ensure project financing and implementation. Despite these repeated commitments and deadlines, the Krasnoyarsk metro project continues to face significant delays and challenges.