President Emomali Rahmon, in his recent address to a joint parliamentary session, outlined Tajikistan's unwavering commitment to transforming its transportation landscape. Since the early years of independence, the government has strategically mobilized resources to overcome historical transportation challenges and position Tajikistan as a transit country. The president's comprehensive vision encompasses numerous state investment projects, totaling 26.6 bn somonis (approximately $2.4 bn) , aimed at constructing and renovating highways, railways, and bolstering technical capacity, Asia-Plus reported.
President Rahmon's foresight extends to utilizing Tajikistan's roads as vital economic corridors within the region. These corridors include the China-Tajikistan-Afghanistan and China-Tajikistan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkey-Europe routes, as well as the Tajikistan-China-Pakistan connection. To materialize these ambitions, the government has identified priority projects for the construction and renovation of highways of international and republican importance, presenting significant opportunities for economic corridors and attracting investments.
Key among the proposed projects are the Rushan road to Varshez village, the Bokhtar-Jaloliddin-Balkhi-Qubodiyon-Shahritous-Ayvaj-Uzbekistan’s border route, and the Khujand - Konibodom stretch, among others. Seventeen state investment projects, exceeding 13 billion somonis (approximately $1.1 bn), have already been implemented in Tajikistan's transport sector.
The ongoing construction and renovation projects, including the Roghun-Obigarm-Nurabad highways and the development of the country's largest bridge in the Rasht Valley, underscore the commitment to upgrading infrastructure. Initiatives in Sughd and Khatlon provinces, such as the Bekobod-Dehmay road and the Hulbuk-Temurmalik-Kangurt route, further highlight the holistic approach to improving connectivity across the nation.
In the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), ongoing reconstruction and renovation of the Qalai Khumb-Vanj-Rushan highway and the construction of bridges and roads signify efforts to address transportation challenges in all regions. The ambitious plan includes adapting all international and republican roads to international standards within the next five to six years.
Urban development in Dushanbe is also a focal point, with 82 kilometers of roads rehabilitated in the past seven years. Plans for the construction of 40 kilometers of roads, including high line roads, within the next three years demonstrate a commitment to enhancing connectivity in the capital.
President Rahmon emphasized that achieving these strategic goals will transform Tajikistan into a transit country, ensuring stable economic development and improving living standards for its citizens. To facilitate these developments, the Ministry of Transport and the State Committee on Investment and State-owned Property Management have been mandated to attract capital and efficiently implement state investment projects, including a unified digital network for controlling freight transport weights.
Earlier Daryo reported that a considerable 21% of Tajikistan's rural inhabitants rely on surface water, and a notable 90% use outdoor pit latrines, as reported by the World Bank. Despite a significant investment of $6.1 bn in the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Plant project, Tajikistan faces substantial infrastructure gaps, particularly in transportation, where unpaved roads make up 83%. The existing Public-Private Partnership portfolio, covering nine projects, is estimated at around $34 mn.
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