It is impossible to rehabilitate all roads in the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in three or five years, GBAO Governor Yodgor Fayzov told reporters in Khorog on August 4.
“If it works out, then the maximum that can be done is to rehabilitate the highway from Darvoz district to Rushan district during 3 or 5 years and it will comply with international standards,” Mr. Fayzov said.
According to him, rehabilitation of other roads in the region will take at least 10 or 15 years or even more.
He further noted that the road from the Rushan administrative center to the Bartang Valley has been closed for traffic due to mudflows and avalanches. According to him, money has been allocated for rehabilitation of this road but mudflows and avalanches have constantly damaged this winding mountain road.
“Over the past five years, some sections of this road have been widened. For this, the Aga Khan Foundation and the Government of Tajikistan have jointly allocated more than 800,000 somonis. The Government have additionally allocated 10 million somonis for construction of two bridges,” GBAO governor said.
He further noted that it would take decades and require large financial resources to bring all roads in the region into line with international standards.
“Now our main problem is to rehabilitate roads connecting Khorog with Roshtqala and Ishkashim districts. But, unfortunately, we have not yet found financial sources to carry out repair work. That is why we have been rehabilitating roads for many years,” Mr. Fayzov added.
