DUSHANBE, September 12, 2008, Asia-Plus — The Istiqlol Tunnel that has been closed for traffic since today is expected to be opened in 35 days, according to Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC).
The source at a MoTC said that builders are currently working in three shifts and concreting work is supposed to be finished before the raining season. “The builders are provided with all necessary materials and have regular electricity supplies, and the tunnel will be open for traffic probably in 35 days” the source said.
We will recall that during President Rahmon’s visit to the tunnel on September 7, it was noted that the tunnel will be closed for traffic for two months in connection with ongoing drift-miners’ work.
In the meantime, in connection with the closure of the Istiqlol Tunnel, the Anzob Pass was opened for traffic.
The Istiqlol Tunnel, better known among the population as the Anzob Tunnel, linking central part of Tajikistan to the northern Sughd province, has been built with assistance of Iranian specialists and in accordance with an agreement recently reached between Rahmon and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, further $6 million will be provided by Iran for completion of work on ventilation and lighting of the tunnel.
We will recall that Iran’s Saber International has constructed the Istiqlol Tunnel. The total project cost was estimated at 40 million US dollars, and Iran has provided US$5 million in a form of grant and extended a preferential loan worth US$21 million to Tajikistan. The tunnel makes the highway from Dushanbe to Khujand open fro traffic the whole year round and drops the transit time by four to five hours.
