DUSHANBE, September 30, Asia-Plus — Tajik and Uzbek rail companies have set up a joint commission to consider Tajik Railways’ claim over loss of Tajikistan-bound freight on Uzbek territory, Andrey Tropin, the deputy head of the shipment department of Tajik Railways, told Asia-Plus Thursday afternoon.
According to him, the commission is thoroughly investigating each of the freight loss cases and if the case is confirmed, Uzbek rail company will have to reimburse damage.
Quite a few cases of loss of Tajikistan-bound freight on Uzbek territory have been revealed in recent months but not all consignees agree to lodge written applications in order to get their money back, Tropin said, adding that the cargo loss cases have been taking place most likely during customs control at the Uzbek railroad station Kudukli.
He also noted that passage of Tajikistan-bound freight cars via Uzbek has improved. “At present Uzbek officials allow up to 40 railroad cars moving to Khatlon province per day,” said Tajik rail company official, “However, 103 freight cars bound for Khatlon province are still being held up in Uzbekistan.”
There are no any serious problems with passage of Dushanbe-bound freight cars except for four freight cars with cargo for the Roghun hydroelectric power plant (HPP) and the Pamir Energy Company (PamirEnergy) that have been stranded on Uzbek territory for some obscure reasons since February this year already, Tropin stressed.
Tajikistan”s freight transit through Uzbekistan has been slowed since late 2009. Local experts attribute the delays to Dushanbe’s decision to raise funds within the country to complete the construction of the Roghun HPP.
