Modern-day zeppelins costing $30 million each would revolutionise transport links and economic exploitation of Siberia in $240 billion plan.
On a visit to the Far East, he strongly hinted they should give up summer holidays to complete unfinished tasks.
The Russian government is to give priority to Siberia and the Far East as it puts modernisation on fast-forward, insists Dmitry Medvedev.
A $7.4 billion cash injection for Trans-Siberian and Baikal-Amur rail lines confirmed by president.
One estimate is half a million new jobs stemming from improvements to the Baikal-Amur Mainline link amid hopes of foreign investment.
Long-held dream for a crossing at Yakutsk gets a boost from China.