DUSHANBE, June 23, 2009, Asia-Plus — Deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) have endorsed a bill requiring amendments to the country’s law on automotive roads and road activity. The amendments, in particular, provide for introduction of payment for use of automotive roads.
A regular sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation, presided over by its speaker, Saydullo Khairuloyev, was held on June 23.
Presenting the bill, the First Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, Jumakhon Zuhurov, noted that the amendments, in particular, proposed to introduce payment for use of the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway, rehabilitation of which was nearing completion.
“The Chinese Government has provided $281.2 million in a form of long-term loan and the payment is introduced in order to repay the loan, recoup the investments we made and maintain the highway,” the deputy minister said.
In the meantime, MP Yusufjon Ahmadov noted that introduction of payment for use of automotive roads violated constitutional rights of citizens. “Under Article 24 of the country’s Constitution citizens have the right of free movement across the country and the amendments restrict this right,” said Ahmadov, “There are more than 23 million kilometers of automotive roads across the world and only some 200,000 kilometers of them are the paid ones. However, the countries that have the paid automotive roads also have alternative free roads. Moreover, many countries such as Germany, Great Britain, Denmark and Sweden have already given up the paid automotive rods.”
MP Shodi Shabdolov seconded Yusufjon Ahmadov, noting that endorsement of the amendments would seriously affect the population and lead to increase in prices in the country.
Parliamentarians endorsed the bill after long and lively discussions.
