DUSHANBE, January 22, 2009, Asia-Plus — The Government of the United States does not rule out the possibility of financing construction of a new bridge over the Panj River joining Tajikistan and Afghanistan, the source at the US Embassy in Dushanbe told Asia-Plus today, commenting on yesterday’s statement by Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi about alleged agreement between the governments of the two countries on construction of the bridge at the Kokul area in Khatlon’s Farkhor district.
“Indeed, the possibility of construction of the new bridge was touched upon during USCENTCOM chief General David Petraeus’ talks with Tajik officials in Dushanbe at the end of last week,” the source said.
General Petraeus, who did not rule out the possibility of financing by his country of construction of the new bridge that would serve establishment of stability in Afghanistan, stressed that at present the US Government is monitoring use of the bridge joining Tajikistan and Afghanistan at Nizhny Panj and the results of full exploitation of the bridge, the source said.
We will recall that the bridge joining Tajikistan and Afghanistan at Nizhny Panj was officially opened on August 26, 2007. The bridge is the largest U.S. Government-funded ($37.1 million) infrastructure project for Tajikistan. It is dedicated to provide the region with inter-connectivity by cutting the distance between Dushanbe and seaports almost in half. It also facilitates access to a warm water port in Karachi, Pakistan, for the countries to the north.
The bridge is 673 meters long and can carry up to 1,000 vehicles per day. The project also includes border police barracks, an administration building, a dining facility, a drive-through scanner building and a small customs facility.
