DUSHANBE, April 30, 2010, Asia-Plus — Tajik society is not yet ready for introduction of toll road management services, especially as there are no alternative routes, Tajik expert Shahobiddin Ziyoyev said.
According to him, the government should shave have not harried to introduce a toll road management for the Dushanbe-Chanak highway when it is so high level of poverty in the country.
“Such decisions may cause social tension in the country,” said the expert, “Therefore, the government must review the decision on introduction of the roll road management for the Dushanbe-Chanak highway before it is too late.”
He noted that tolls have been placed on roads in many countries; however, “people there have choice.”
“Many people consider that there is no alternative for the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway, but it is far from true,” said Ziyoyev, “It would be more expedient to place tolls on the Anzob and Shahriston tunnels on this highway but not on the whole road, because these sections of the highway has alternative routes.”
“People will have choice,” said the expert, “Those who have money will go through comfortable tunnels, while those who do not have money may drive over the passes”
We will recall that 10,000 residents of 16 settlements located along the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway on April 22 released an open letter to President Emomali Rahmon over a mechanism of road toll management for the highway that was introduced on April 1 this year. They, in particular, noted that tariff set for the highway was unacceptable for the population. Moreover, if there is no alternative road, introduction of the toll road is in contrary with all international standards and may negatively impact the country’s economy, the letter said.
