Repair works in Istiqlal Tunnel, not fully completed, have begun by Ayni Road Maintenance Directorate.
Ministry of Transportation reported to Asia-Plus that repair works on removing the road holes, change of lighting devices and other works in the Tunnel are being done from the budgetary funds, and as directed by the Transportation Minister, Khayrulla Asaev.
The Ministry noted: “Debris is being removed from the Tunnel, and 700 square meters of the Tunnel is rehabilitated. Approximately 100 thousand Samani has been spent over the week on repair works of the Tunnel – these include expenditures for diesel fuel and building materials.”
The Ministry noted that negotiations with Iran on the allocation of funds for the Istiqlal Tunnel’s completion are ongoing; however it is premature to talk about results.
The Transportation Ministry had declared before that over 6 million US Dollars is needed for completion of the Tunnel. The upcoming financing will be spent for covering the tunnel walls with concrete, installing the drainage system, which is non-existent currently, and sealing of construction joints. A separate project includes installation of a fire, ventilation, and lighting systems. Iranian company, Farab, will deal with laying communications.
Currently, Iranian company, Saber International, is the contractor for the Project, which was selected among three other Iranian companies participating in the tender for the construction of Istiqlal Tunnel. The Tunnel was completed in March 2006, however, the site was not fully completed, but automobiles still go through the tunnel.
Istiqlal Tunnel goes under Anzab mountain pass, located 90 km north of Dushanbe on Dushanbe-Khojand road (northern Tajikistan). It connects the country’s center with the north. The length of the tunnel is 5.2 km, and $10 million has already been spent to date for its construction. About 1 km of the tunnel works were completed before Iran’s entry. In 2003, Iran and Tajikistan signed an agreement on the Tunnel’s construction, and financing was put at $39 million. $10 million of these funds were grant financing by Iran, 7.8 million would be paid by the Tajik government, and $21.2 million would be credited by Iran.
