DUSHANBE, February 11, 2014, Asia-Plus — According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Country Operations Business Plan (COBP), 2014-2016, for Tajikistan, the Railway Development Project remains on standby for 2014 but is firm for 2015, with a $100 million budget. The TA to prepare the project is reportedly now planned for 2014 on a firm basis.
Besides, the $40 million Improving Khovaling–Tavildara Road Project is planned for 2016 on a standby basis, for which a new project preparatory TA is planned in 2015 on a firm basis.
The COBP, 2014-2016, notes that ADB transport operations will benefit the poor, particularly in rural areas, by reducing isolation, improving communications, and expanding access to social services and income-generating opportunities. ADB’s projects will make it less costly for these people to transport farm produce to agriculture and labor markets, travel to health and education centers, and access other social and public services. Planned road and railway projects cover areas where the potential to improve intraregional connectivity and trade is strong.
The Railway Development Project reportedly provides for support for construction of the Tajik section of the rail link connecting Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
C.C. Yu, ADB’s Country Director for Tajikistan, told journalists in Dushanbe in mid-January that preparatory work on the project will begin this year. “US$1 million technical assistance has already been approved and feasibility study for the project will be conducted this year,” ADB’s country director noted.
