Rustam Minnikhanov visits historic sites in Kazan City Centre

On September 2, the Rais (Head) of Rustam Minnikhanov accompanied by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, Aide to the Rais of Tatarstan Olesya Baltusova, Tatarstan Minister of Construction, Architecture and Housing and Utility Services Marat Ayzatullin, Kazan Chief Architect Ilsiyar Tukhvatullina, Chairman of the Tatarstan Committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites Ivan Gushchin, and other officials made a working tour of several sites located in the historic center of Kazan.

During the tour, Minnikhanov got acquainted with the plans for residential complexes to be built on Aivazovsky, Volkov and Nazarbayev streets. Representatives of the developers presented several options for the architectural and artistic design of the buildings, including color schemes, facade finishes and landscaping elements.

The Rais of Tatarstan emphasized that the new developments should blend harmoniously into the existing urban environment and instructed the relevant authorities to ensure quality control of finishing materials. Following the discussion, all three projects were approved.

Minnikhanov then reviewed the renovation of a former industrial area along the Volga River and the construction of a residential complex at the Novaya Portovaya development site. In addition to residential buildings, the large-scale project includes the development of a 12-kilometer waterfront promenade, landscaping of green areas and the construction of a school and a kindergarten.

Then the Rais of Tatarstan visited the Kazan River Port, where Tatarstan Minister of Transport and Roads Farit Khanifov presented plans to develop river transport and increase passenger traffic.

As of early September, more than 324,000 passengers had used river transport, a 5% increase compared with the same period last year. In May 2026, high-speed Meteor service was launched between Kazan and Naberezhnye Chelny, with stops in Kamskoye Ustye, Chistopol, Nizhnekamsk and Yelabuga. To date, 9,200 passengers have used the route.

Particular attention is being paid to the development of infrastructure, including the renovation of floating landing stages. This year, the Tashevka landing stage was renovated. Volunteers from the Tom Sawyer Fest – Kazan movement helped restore its lost wooden decorative elements.

Farit Khanifov also reported on the increase in the number of vessels calling at Kazan and noted that the existing berthing capacity is insufficient. He therefore proposed considering an extension of the berth to accommodate a larger number of passenger vessels. The Rais of Tatarstan instructed officials to study the proposal.

At the conclusion of the tour, Rustam Minnikhanov reviewed the overall condition of the river port building and the concept for its further development, as well as plans for landscaping and developing the Lokomotiv Peninsula.