DUSHANBE, January 28, 2013, Asia-Plus — The project for rehabilitation of a road between Ayni-Panjakent and the Uzbek border will be launched in February, Minister of Transport, Nizom Hakimov, told journalists on January 28.
According to him, they will sign a contract with an international consulting company for project management and construction supervision services within the next few days.
A Chinese construction company has won the tender for implementation of the project that is designed for three years, the minister said.
We will recall that the Asian Development Bank announced last September that it is providing a $100 million grant to help Tajikistan upgrade the vital road Ayni-Panjakent-Uzbek border in northern Tajikistan.
The road is reportedly part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridor 6 that spans about 10,000 kilometers m linking Europe and the Russian Federation to the Middle East and South Asia.
The 113-kilometer road — part of the historic Silk Road — runs along the Zarafshon River through the Zarafshon Valley, crossing the Ayni and Panjakent districts before ending at the border with Uzbekistan.
Improvements to this road are expected to increase regional connectivity, reduce transport costs, and strengthen competitiveness. This will also improve access to markets and social services for impoverished local communities; stimulate development of agriculture, tourism and mining industries that in return create job opportunities; and improve the region’s living standards.
