The additional financing will not only develop Tajikistan’s economic corridors through transport development, but also strengthen the government’s capacity to maintain these assets. Credit: Asian Development Bank.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to support the rehabilitation of a 40km section of the Dushanbe-Kurgonteppa road in Tajikistan with a $90m grant.

The rehabilitation project is expected to enhance connectivity and road safety between the two cities.

Sourced from ADB’s Asian Development Fund, the grant is under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridors 2, 5, and 6 (Dushanbe-Kurgonteppa) Road Project approved in October 2016.

Nearly 10,000 vehicles pass through the Dushanbe-Kurgonteppa road every day, making it a key route in the country serving as a strategic north-south link. It also serves as the junction of CAREC corridors 2, 5, and 6.

ADB Central and West Asia Department transport specialist Kamel Bouhmad said: “Road transport is central to Tajikistan’s economy and development, supporting investment, job creation, and poverty reduction in the country.

“Road transport is central to Tajikistan’s economy and development, supporting investment, job creation, and poverty reduction in the country.”

“The additional financing will not only develop Tajikistan’s economic corridors through transport development, but also strengthen the government’s capacity to maintain these assets.”

The rehabilitation works include the expansion of 40km road section between Chashmasoron and Kurgonteppa from two to four lanes, building new pavements and structures, as well as the development of well-designed facilities to reduce existing road safety deficiencies.

Furthermore, the financing is expected to support the Tajikistan Government’s programme to improve the road safety situation of the national highway network. It can include existing tunnels, intersections and black spots.

ADB has been present in Tajikistan since 1998 and has approved nearly $1.6bn as concessional loans, grants and technical assistance to the country.

ADB recently awarded a $140m loan to improve the provincial roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa located in the north-western region of Pakistan.

The project will see the rehabilitation of eight key road sections with a total length of 214km.