Specialists from Tajikistan and South Korea wrapped up a study in Dushanbe, assessing the feasibility of initiating the first phase of a metro system in the Tajik capital, Dunyo News Agency informed on May 29.
Dushanbe, with a population exceeding 1.2 mn, requires safe and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. Representatives from South Korea’s national railway company proposed the development of an underground metro utilizing the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, known for its efficiency and low environmental impact.
A memorandum signed on March 14, 2022, between the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan and the Korean National Railway Corporation initiated the collaborative effort to explore the feasibility of metro construction in Dushanbe. Over 11 months, specialists from both nations analyzed the organizational and legal frameworks necessary for the project.
Financial Commitments and Support
On August 22, 2023, the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan formalized a MoU with the Export-Import Bank of South Korea, securing $200,000 in funding for preliminary studies and a feasibility assessment for the Dushanbe metro project. Representatives from the South Korean bank also committed to financing the detailed development of the project.
A permanent Working Group comprising representatives from Tajikistan’s Ministry of Transport, the Executive Body of State Power of Dushanbe, and the Korean National Railway Corporation facilitated continuous communication. The Working Group convened 17 meetings, addressing technical and logistical challenges associated with the metro construction.
The introduction of a metro system in Dushanbe would align it with other Central Asian cities with established metro systems, namely Tashkent (1977) and Almaty (2011). These precedents underscore the potential of metro systems in enhancing urban mobility and supporting economic growth.
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