Dushanbe. June 17. “Asia – Plus” — Uzbekistan has blocked freight wagons destined to Khatlon area of Tajikistan again, deputy head of the Transportation Service of the Tajik Railways Andrey Tropin told the AP. Not a single wagon arrived to south Tajikistan through Termez-Amuzang-Kurgon-Teppa line in the past two days.
He said that more than 2000 freight wagons designed for Tajikistan remain blocked on the territory of Uzbekistan “and this number continues to grow day by day.” More than 700 wagons designed for Khatlon area are being also blocked in Uzbekistan.
Tropin said that up to 20 wagons were arriving to Khatlon before June 15.
During the meeting between Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov in Tashkent the sides have agreed on unlimited pass of freight wagons except those loaded with cargoes for Rogun hydropower plant.
Meanwhile, representative of Iranian railways Behruz Balandi told Tajik BBC service that Iran warned Uzbekistan that it will limit transit of Uzbek freight wagons through its territory if Uzbekistan continues to block Tajik wagons.
According to Balandi, 150 Uzbek freight wagons are being transited through the territory of Iran. He noted that Iran urged Turkmenistan to limit transit of Uzbek freight wagons.
According to him, the day after this letter was sent to Uzbek rail officials, deputy head of Uzbekiston temir yullari (Uzbek Railways) Akramjon Abdulloev in his official reply has assured Iranian colleagues that the problem with transit of Tajik rail wagons will be settled within the next few days and asked not to limit transit of Uzbek wagons passing through the territory of Iran. Iranian rail official added that Iranian rail officials face no problems with their Uzbek colleagues. “Such move was made by Iran just to provide assistance to Tajikistan,” Balandi said.
