TAJIKISTAN | Roadways/Highways

[hakz2007]

News, photos and discussions on Tajikistan's road infrastructure

[hakz2007]

Dushanbe-Kyrgyz border highway to help Tajikistan become a major crossroads for international trade

DUSHANBE, October 29, 2010, Asia-Plus -- The Dushanbe-Kyrgyz border highway, which is part of a much larger scheme that is changing the way Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan do business, will help Tajikistan become a major crossroads for international trade and commerce.

According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Tajikistan resident Mission, Mr. Juan Miranda, Director General of the ADB Central and West Asia Department, remarked this ahead the Central Asian Regional Cooperation Program (CAREC)’s 9th Ministerial Conference that will take place in Cebu, the Philippines from October 31 to November 2.

The completed stretches of the highway are already halving the journey along one of Central Asia’s most significant trade routes, a key corridor that connects Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan with China and beyond, Mr. Miranda noted.

In practical terms this means that the goods people buy and trade in Tajikistan are moving more quickly from source to destination, crossing borders more efficiently and reaching consumers at a better price—and with better quality and selection—than ever before.

The stretch of road is one more vital component of a huge trade, transport and energy partnership known as the Central Asian Regional Cooperation Program, or CAREC.

For consumers in Tajikistan, CAREC brings better highways to carry goods from farm to supermarket. For businesses it means a transport network to help turn Tajikistan’s abundant resources into higher value goods and services. And for people everywhere it means the opportunity to reap and enjoy the benefits of Tajikistan’s strategic location, the ADB official stressed.

He said CAREC was slated to expand and modernize Tajikistan’s electricity transmission system, which would help increase energy trading with neighbors, including Afghanistan. Construction of two new 220-kilovolt transmission lines totaling 140 kilometers, and the restoration of substations along the way will be complemented with reforms of Barqi Tojik power holding, Miranda noted.

According to the ADB, since its inception, the regional group can boast more than $13 billon in CAREC-associated investments in Central Asia’s energy, trade and transportation sectors, accomplishments that include some 2,600 kilometers of road building and improvements; almost 2,000 kilometers of railway track; upgrading of ports and priority border crossings; and improvements in energy security, efficiency and distribution through the region.

Founded in 1997, CAREC is made up of eight countries—Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—and six multilateral institutions, including the Asian Development Bank.

CAREC provides the finance and ideas that are accelerating economic growth and improving living standards across Central Asia. It is building trust and closer cooperation among neighbors and developing a seamless network of six transport corridors that connect CAREC countries to one another and to the booming markets of East and South Asia, Europe, and the Russian Federation.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/33/70793.html

Tajikistan highway project enters final phase

DUSHANBE, October 26, 2010, Asia-Plus -- The rehabilitation of a major highway link from Dushanbe to the Kyrgyz Republic border in the northeast has entered its final phase, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Tajikistan Resident Mission.

Work on this section of the 340-kilometer road corridor is set for completion in 2013, yet is already halving the journey time along one of Central Asia’s most significant trade routes, a key corridor that connects Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic with the People's Republic of China and beyond.

The rehabilitation of the road between Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic is a hallmark of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program, which is helping Central Asian countries move toward a larger vision of a truly integrated and globally connected Asia, seamlessly interlinked and working in common purpose.

CAREC provides the finance and ideas—notably in the areas of energy, trade, and transportation—leading to accelerated economic growth and closer cooperation among countries in the region.

Tajikistan will be among eight member countries represented at CAREC’s 9th Ministerial Conference, to be hosted by the government of Afghanistan later this month on the island of Cebu in the Philippines.

As it prepares for the 10th year of ministerial collaboration, the regional grouping can boast more than $13 billion in CAREC-associated investments that have contributed to sustainable economic growth and improved living standards across Central Asia.

“Through deeds rather than words, CAREC is proving to be the master key that unlocks Central Asia’s vast economic potential,” said Juan Miranda, Director General for the Central and West Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). “The presence of Tajikistan in Cebu underscores the value this country places on CAREC, and in turn, the value CAREC places on Tajikistan.”

Tajikistan has received $474 million for CAREC-related projects since 2001. A further $122 million is slated to expand and modernize Tajikistan’s electricity transmission system, which will help it increase energy trading with neighboring countries.

CAREC was founded in 1997 as a partnership of eight countries - Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, the People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan - and six multilateral institutions—ADB, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and World Bank—with a mandate to help the region realize its economic potential and connect with neighboring and international markets. ADB has served as CAREC’s Secretariat since 2000.

High on the agenda for ministers attending the conference from October 31 to November 2 will be the endorsement of Pakistan and Turkmenistan as the group’s newest members, bringing an extra dimension of southern access for the countries of Central Asia.

In addition, a Ministerial Retreat will be held for the first time where discussions will focus on developing a vision to expand CAREC’s partnership and cooperation for the second decade of ministerial collaboration.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/33/70676.html

[hakz2007]

Varzob residents demand relocation of toll station

DUSHANBE, November 18, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Residents of the Hushyori village in Varzob district say the toll station located at the 42nd kilometer of the Dushanbe-Chanak highway creates serious problems for them.

This plaza was installed in April this year and since that time, residents of Hushyori have repeatedly organized demonstrations, demanding the relocation of the plaza.

“The plaza should be relocated one kilometer northward from the village, because it divides the village into two parts that creates problems for local residents,” one of residents of Hushyori, Shamsullo Khojayev, noted yesterday at a meeting with top managers of the Innovative Road Solutions (IRS) company, which operates the toll.

According to him, they have to pay every time they move from one part of the village to other one. “Besides, a large accumulation of vehicles at the plaza creates threat to safety of local schoolchildren,” said Shamsov. “A school of 400 pupils is located not far from the plaza, while road builders did not provide for sidewalk and pedestrian crossing.”

Moreover, schoolchildren are disturbed by noise from vehicles and noise vehicles make disturbs local residents at night, Khojayev noted.

The IRS director Farrukh Karimov promised that company would take efforts to remove existing shortcomings, but noted that the company could not relocate the plaza. “We have spent a lot of money to install the toll station here and we cannot relocate it due to financial reasons,” Karimov said, noting that the relocation operation requires new considerable expenses.

According to him, the company has already begun to build a sidewalk along the highway. “We have also come to an agreement with traffic police on installing sign boards prohibiting drivers from blowing their vehicles horn on the territory of the village,” said the company director. “Besides, the company will help local residents build parking lot on the territory of the village.”

The Hushyori residents, however, plan to continue seeking the relocation of the plaza. They say they have sent a petition signed by the village residents to the president, asking for help in solving the issue.

Varzob Chairperson Sitora Sherova, Deputy Minister of Interiors Said Jurakhonov and Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Khudoyor Khudoyorov also attended the meeting of the IRS top managers with more than 100 residents of the Hushyori villages.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/33/71371.html

[hakz2007]

Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan sign cross-border agreement under CAREC

DUSHANBE, December 2, 2010, Asia-Plus -- On Thursday December 2, Olimjon Boboyev, Minister of Transport and Communications of Tajikistan and Kubanychbek Mamayev, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan signed a Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) that will promote bilateral and regional trade, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Tajikistan resident Mission (TJRM).

This is the first CBTA signed under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program.

The CBTA, developed with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aims to smooth the movement of people and goods across borders in Central Asia. Obstacles to that include poorly equipped border posts; excessive and expensive documentation in customs, immigration, and quarantine; and road permit quotas that restrict competition and slow trade.

These obstacles significantly bloat travel time. At border points along CAREC's Corridor 5, which runs from China through Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Pakistan, vehicles spend an average of six hours waiting to reach the checkpoint, four hours undergoing customs inspection, and two hours at border checkpoints.

"We hope this landmark event will spur other countries to join the Cross-Border Transport Agreement," said Xiaoyu Zhao, ADB Vice President (Operations 1), who was present at the signing ceremony in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. "Making it easier for people and products to cross borders boosts trade and supports economic growth. It also promotes regional cooperation."

The CBTA between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan was finalized following five meetings between the two countries since negotiations started in May 2009. The two governments are expected to ratify the agreement in the first half of 2011 with a view to starting implementing it shortly thereafter.

Under the CBTA, the two countries are expected to improve cross-border infrastructure and facilities, simplify and harmonize cross-border procedures, and ensure that all officials working at the border posts are well informed and trained.

Founded in 1997, CAREC is a partnership of 10 countries - Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - and six multilateral institutions: ADB, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. ADB has served as the CAREC Secretariat since 2001.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/33/71779.html

Japan assists to reconstruct automobile road that links Tajikistan and Afghanistan

KURGAN-TUBE. November 29. Asia-Plus - Tajik Transport and Communication Minister Olim Boboev and Japanese Ambassador to Tajikistan Yoshihiro Nakoyama took part in the commissioning ceremony of reconstructed Dusti-Lower Pyanj road.

The road which links Tajikistan and Afghanistan is part of the Asian arterial highway, Tajik Transport Minister said, adding that reconstruction project was divided into two phases: the first included rehabilitation of 8.3km of the road which was implemented in 2008 while the second, which has just been completed, included rehabilitation of 15.4km. The project was implemented thanks to nearly $20mln USD grant allocated by the Government of Japan.

Boboev thanked the Government of Japan for financial support and expressed hope that Japan will continue to take an active part in implementation of strategic projects in Tajikistan.

Speaking at the ceremony in Tajik language, Japanese Ambassador to Tajikistan Yoshihiro Nakoyama said that reconstruction of this part of the road was launched 1.5 year ago.

“Despite all difficulties that emerged during reconstruction, including untimely delivery of required building materials, and thanks to constructors’ efforts, reconstruction was finished one month prior to the plan,” Japanese diplomat said. “I urge the Government of Tajikistan and local authorities and agencies responsible for maintenance of roads to undertake efforts to preserve this road and prevent its demolition by not allowing heavy trucks to use this road.”

Mr. Nakoyama said that this international highway will contribute to the development of Tajikistan. “I hope that situation in Afghanistan will normalize soon and Tajikistan will be able to reach India’s ports using this road,” he said.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/33/71654.html

Villagers of Gushari village of Varzob region on strike again

Dushanbe. November 23. Asia-Plus - More than 100 residents of Gushari village of Varzob region went on strike today November 23 to protest against tolling plaza which creates multiple difficulties for the villagers, Shamsullo Hojaev, one of the protesters, said in a telephone conversation with the AP.

He said the protesters will continue to stay there until Innovative Road Solutions (IRS), the company that is responsible for the Dushanbe-Chanak highway’s tolling system, complies with their demands. “People are standing near the tolling plaza holding banners that say “Settle our problem”, “Ease our difficulties” “Need assistance of His highness” and are waiting for the company’s and local officials to come out,” Hojaev has said.

The plaza is located on the 42nd km of the Dushanbe-Chanak highway and was officially launched in April this year. Since then residents of Gushari village have organized multiple strikes and protests asking to remove the plaza. They have also met with IRS officials to discuss this problem but the problem still exists.

“The plaza should be removed one kilometer to the north of Gushari since it divides the village into two parts creating multiple difficulties to its villagers. We are ready to provide free-of-charge physical assistance to the company and will attract the required manpower,” Hojaev has said, adding that initially it was planned to install the plaza one kilometer above its current location where the village ends. “However, an owner of a local cottage refused IRS to do that. Therefore, it was decided to install the plaza in the middle of the village close to the local school,” Hojaev said. “This creates a range of difficulties. Firstly, we have to pay every time we move from one part of the village to another. Additionally, long string of vehicles that are waiting for their turn to pay the fee pose serious danger to local schoolchildren since the plaza located close to the local school with 400 pupils. There is no crosswalk near the plaza. Furthermore, the noise these vehicles are making disturbs education process during daytime and disturbs local villagers at night. Company’s employees who work here devour local schoolgirls with their eyes and girls even refuse to attend school,” he added.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/33/71508.html

[hakz2007]

Tender for rehabilitation of Dushanbe-Tursunzoda road to be announced soon

DUSHANBE, December 6, 2010, Asia-Plus -- A tender for rehabilitation of Dushanbe-Turusnzoda-Uzbekistan border road will be announced in the near future, according to the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC).

The source at a MoTC says feasibility study for the Dushanbe-Tursunzoda-Uzbekistan border road rehabilitation project was finished last month.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided a US$650,000 technical assistance grant and the government has contributed US$150,000 for conducting the feasibility study.

The two-lane, 61.5-kilometer road is the main highway linking Dushanbe and the district centers in Hissar Valley to Uzbekistan. It is part of the Transport Corridor III connecting Russia, Middle East and South Asia, one of the six priority transport corridors identified under the ADB-supported Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program.

According to the source, the section of the road from Dushanbe to Tursunzoda will be upgraded into four-lane highway, 25 meters in width, while the section of road from Tursunzoda to Uzbekistan border will be a two-lane highway, 15 meters in width.

A six-kilometer section the road from the Abu Ali Sino monument in Dushanbe to the western gate of the Tajik capital will be reconstructed due to funds provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The Dushanbe-Tursunzoda-Uzbekistan border road rehabilitation project is aimed at developing an integrated and efficient road transport link between Dushanbe and Uzbekistan border. If trade relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan improve, the project will foster cross-border trade, investments, and labor mobility.

The implementation of the project is expected to start in the second quarter of the next year.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/65/71889.html

[hakz2007]

36km road can link Pakistan, Tajikistan

LAHORE (PPI) - Federal advisor on textile, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, during a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Hamrokhon Zarifi in Dushanbe, has stressed the need for a road link to facilitate the trade between Pakistan and Tajikistan, as from Chitral, only 36km road can link Pakistan with Tajik border. He also requested to reduce the landing charges of the airlines for Tajikistan enabling PIA and other airlines to operate to Dushanbe.

Dr Baig requested Foreign Minister to give one year multiple visa of Tajikistan to Pakistani businessmen to facilitate their travelling. He said signing of FTA or PTA is vital to enhance the trade between two countries. He thanked Tajik Government for offering Casa 1000 power project to supply 1000 Mega Watt electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan between April and October every year. Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, CEO of TDAP Tariq Puri, President FPCCI Senator Ghulam Ali and along with 118 businessmen delegation are on an official visit to Tajikistan. The delegation was covering Textile, Mining, Logistics, Construction, Education, Banking, Fruit & Vegetable and cement sectors.

More: http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-n...tan-Tajikistan

[hakz2007]

Tajik, Pakistani Transport Ministers discuss project that will link roads of two states

DUSHANBE, August 8, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Dushanbe hosted a meeting of Tajik Transport Minister Nizom Hakimov with Minister of Communications of Pakistan, Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan, who arrived in Dushanbe on August 7.

The talks were mainly focused on the issues of cooperation in the field of development of Tajikistan’s transport infrastructure in the frameworks of the Tajik Government’s strategic goal aimed at taking the country out of communication isolation.

More: http://news.tj/en/news/tajik-pakista...ads-two-states

[Nima-Farid]

Nice thread! better to see some images!

[hakz2007]

Karcel to produce steel bridges for road construction in Tajikistan

Read here - http://www.steelorbis.com/steel-news...tan-657823.htm
‎

[hakz2007]

Dushanbe-Tavildara highway temporarily closed for traffic due to avalanches

DUSHANBE, March 6, 2012, Asia-Plus -- A highway from Dushanbe to the Tavildara district in eastern Tajikistan has been temporarily closed for traffic due to avalanches, according to the Ministry of Transport (MoT).

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[hakz2007]

Gorno Badakhshan cut off from the outer world due to heavy snowfall and avalanches

DUSHANBE - A source at the GBAO regional administration says the administrative center of the region, the city of Khorog, is currently cut off from the outer world as heavy snowfall on March 18 caused a series of avalanches that blocked in several places the main highways linking Khorog to Dushanbe and the Murgab district bordering Kyrgyzstan and China.

Roads linking Khorog to the Ishkashim district and the Roshtqala district are also closed for traffic due to recent snow-slides.

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[hakz2007]

Khoburabot pass closed for traffic

The Khoburabot pass in the Darvoz district of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), linking the region with Dushanbe through the Tavildara district in Rasht Valley (eastern Tajikistan) has been closed for traffic.

An official source at the Ministry of Transport (MoT) says the pass was closed for traffic on December 6 following heavy snows.

“The pass will be opened for traffic only in mid-May next year,” said the source. “An automobile communication between Dushanbe and Gorno Badakhshan is now carried out via Kulob: Dushanbe-Kulob-Shouroobod-Darvoz-Khorog highway.”

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[hakz2007]

The road in purple is the current road system to get to Tajiksitan. The red road shows the possibility through the Dorrah Pass on the Western end of the Wakhan.
There are several passes that connect Pakistan with Tajikistan–most notably the Dorah Pass, the Broghol Pass from the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan, Shandur Top from Gilgit, and Lowari Top from Dir in Pakistan. Roads can connect through all these passes. The Forrah Pass has been picked to connecting Chitral City to Tajikistan.

The Dorah Pass on the Afghan-Pakistan-Tajik border is more than 4,300 meter (14,000 feet) high. The pass crosses the Hindu Kush. Situated at the foot of pass is Lake Hauzi-Dorah (called Lake Dufferin during colonial times). The lake is roughly 2¾ miles long by over 1/4 miles broad.

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