Infrastructure - The Times Of Central Asia

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ADB Finances 90% of Road Projects in Tajikistan’s Regions

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has financed the construction and reconstruction of 90% of all roads in Tajikistan outside the capital, Dushanbe. This was announced by Evgeny Zhukov, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, during the 58th Annual Meeting of the Bank’s Board of Governors in Milan. Tajikistan’s Largest Transport Infrastructure Investor According to Zhukov, Tajikistan has long been a key partner for the ADB. Since the start of cooperation, the bank has invested approximately $2.7 billion in the country, with the majority of funds directed toward public sector development. “If you travel outside Dushanbe, there is a 90% chance the roads you are on were built or modernized with ADB support. This confirms the effectiveness of our investments,” Zhukov stated. Laziza Sabirova, Head of Regional Cooperation and Integration at the ADB’s Central and West Asia Department, emphasized the bank’s commitment to quality control. An independent unit evaluates whether project outcomes align with initial objectives and ensures efficient use of funds. “These specialists assess each project’s relevance and effectiveness, checking if goals were achieved, whether there was overspending, and evaluating construction quality. Post-completion, they also analyze facility use, maintenance, and any further funding needs,” Sabirova explained. Zhukov also highlighted the ADB’s intent to strengthen cooperation with other international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. One of the largest upcoming joint initiatives will involve funding the Rogun hydroelectric power plant. The ADB plans to allocate up to $500 million for this project in the coming years. Future Development Plans Earlier announcements indicated that the ADB is planning around 20 major projects in Tajikistan between 2025 and 2029. These initiatives span agriculture, social services, urban development, and energy. Particular emphasis will continue to be placed on improving transport infrastructure to enhance domestic logistics and boost economic ties with neighboring countries. Currently, the ADB’s portfolio in Tajikistan includes 19 ongoing public investment projects valued at about $1 billion. These cover key sectors such as energy, healthcare, water supply, irrigation, environmental protection, and tourism. In support of these efforts, the ADB has also provided 12 technical assistance grants totaling $11.2 million. Supporting Economic Stability Ko Sakamoto, the ADB’s permanent representative in Tajikistan, affirmed the bank’s ongoing partnership with the government to reinforce economic stability and improve living standards. “Our collaboration with local partners is already producing tangible results, and we are confident that upcoming projects will contribute to sustainable development,” Sakamoto said. Tajikistan remains one of the largest recipients of ADB grants in Central Asia. Since the beginning of their partnership in 1998, the ADB has delivered significant financial support for vital infrastructure projects, helping lay the groundwork for long-term economic progress.

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Top Kyrgyz Heart Surgeon Warns of Critical Infrastructure Shortfalls Costing Lives

Prominent heart surgeon Kaldarbek Abdramanov has issued a stark warning about the dire state of cardiac care in Kyrgyzstan, stating that thousands of lives are being lost due to the lack of adequate medical infrastructure. His urgent appeal, posted on Facebook, has sparked widespread public concern. Abdramanov emphasized that while Kyrgyz cardiac surgeons have performed more than 70,000 heart surgeries since the country’s first operation in 1959, systemic failures are now threatening the field’s progress. “Although we do not yet perform heart transplants, which is every cardiac surgeon’s dream, this is due to a lack of proper infrastructure and equipment, not knowledge,” he wrote. The surgeon recalled a fire last winter at the Research Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation, which left the facility severely damaged. Since then, staff have been working in makeshift, substandard conditions not suited for complex procedures. He criticized the international aid programs targeted at the center as largely symbolic, offering little real assistance. “We are the students and followers of the great Isa Akhunbaev. We’ve conducted 70,000 heart surgeries and perform nearly all procedures that clinics in Europe and the U.S. do. We have the expertise and the specialists, but not the environment to support our work,” Abdramanov stated. He called for the urgent construction of a new, modern cardiology complex with at least 250 beds. “Yes, such facilities are expensive. But no cost is higher than the lives of hundreds or thousands of citizens who die each year due to the absence of this kind of center,” he warned. Abdramanov also voiced frustration with foreign medical missions, accusing them of offering superficial support. “They come and perform basic surgeries that our young specialists could handle. They don’t teach us new technologies and they don’t leave behind any equipment. This is not real help,” he said. His remarks come amid political fallout in the health sector. President Sadyr Japarov recently publicly criticized Health Minister Erkin Chechebaev for failing to manage the country's hospitals effectively. The president was informed that 24 children with critical heart conditions are awaiting surgery, with three deaths reported in recent days.

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Japanese Company to Build Tunnel on Kyrgyzstan’s Strategic Bishkek-Osh Highway

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Transport and Communications has signed a contract with Japan’s Takenaka Civil Engineering Co. for the construction of a 750-meter tunnel along the critical Bishkek-Osh highway. The project will be carried out at the highway’s 400-kilometer mark and is scheduled to begin in June 2025. The signing ceremony on April 15 was attended by Kyrgyz Transport and Communications Minister Absattar Syrgabayev, Japanese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Hideki Goda, and Kawamoto Hiroyuki, Permanent Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Kyrgyzstan. Minister Syrgabayev expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and JICA for their ongoing support in developing Kyrgyzstan’s transport infrastructure. Strategic Significance The Bishkek-Osh highway is the only overland route linking Kyrgyzstan’s north and south, making it vital to the country’s economic, social, and political cohesion. The 655-kilometer artery cuts through four western regions, Chui, Talas, Jalal-Abad, and Osh, connecting the capital Bishkek with Osh, the country’s second-largest city. In addition to its domestic role, the Bishkek-Osh highway is a key part of several international transport corridors, linking Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. Enhancing the reliability and safety of this route is a top infrastructure priority for the Kyrgyz government. Delays to Alternative Route As reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyz authorities have postponed the opening of the long-anticipated North-South alternative highway to 2026. Originally set for completion in May 2025, the 433-kilometer project has been delayed to allow for additional infrastructure development.

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Transit of Russian Gas to Uzbekistan Through Kazakhstan Continues to Grow

The volume of Russian natural gas transiting through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan is on the rise, reflecting deepening regional energy cooperation. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Alibek Zhamauov, shared the update during a speech at the international Energy Trends forum, according to Interfax. Gas transit to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan began in October 2023. In 2024, 5.6 billion cubic meters of Russian gas were delivered through Kazakhstan, surpassing earlier forecasts of 3.8 billion cubic meters. The volume is projected to increase to 7.3 billion cubic meters in 2025, with further plans to reach 11 billion cubic meters per year starting in 2026. The growing volumes highlight Kazakhstan’s emerging role as a vital transit hub for Central Asia. In 2023, the initial year of operation, 1.28 billion cubic meters of gas were transported along this route. Zhamauov stated that the project is part of a broader strategy to enhance regional energy security and develop cross-border gas infrastructure. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has committed to expanding and upgrading the country’s gas transportation network to accommodate long-term supply agreements with neighboring states. Uzbekistan’s Production Decline Raises Concerns The rising reliance on imported gas comes amid a continued decline in Uzbekistan’s domestic natural gas production. In the first two months of 2025, output fell by 4.2% compared to the same period in 2024. This trend follows a steep drop in production from 61.59 billion cubic meters in 2018 to 44.59 billion in 2024. The shrinking output has sparked concerns over Uzbekistan’s energy security and its broader economic implications. The country’s increasing dependence on regional gas flows highlights the strategic importance of projects like the Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan transit corridor.

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Bishkek Authorities Plan to Relocate Railroad and Build Expressway

Bishkek City Hall has unveiled plans to relocate the railroad from the city center to the outskirts, replacing it with an expressway and residential developments with integrated shopping centers. While the initiative aims to modernize the capital's infrastructure, it has drawn criticism from experts in transportation and urban planning. Plans for Relocation Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliev outlined the project during a parliamentary session, revealing that the new railroad route would be constructed near the northern bypass road. The Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) has expressed readiness to finance the project, which is estimated to cost $550 million. In exchange, CRBC is seeking ownership of the land vacated by the current railroad. Alternatively, the city is also exploring the possibility of self-financing the project. “We've conducted the necessary studies. Relocating the railroad to the south of Bishkek would harm the environment, so we decided to move it to the north, outside the city,” Junushaliev explained. He added that the project would include the creation of a new transportation hub with a railroad and a modern railway station. CRBC recently presented several potential routes for the relocated railroad during a working meeting with city officials. Criticism from Experts Despite the ambitious nature of the proposal, the plan has been met with skepticism from some in Kyrgyzstan. Specialists in transport infrastructure argue that Bishkek’s traffic congestion issues would be better addressed by improving traffic regulation and constructing multi-level interchanges, rather than embarking on an expensive relocation project. Talant Sadakbayev, head of the Independent Engineering Association, emphasized the need for detailed planning and feasibility studies before proceeding. “Relocating the railroad will involve more than just moving the tracks—it will require rebuilding the entire railroad infrastructure, including stations, sidings, signal systems, and freight loading and unloading facilities. This is a complex and costly endeavor,” Sadakbayev told The Times of Central Asia. He added that Kyrgyzstan already has affordable access to reinforced concrete due to production quarries near Bishkek, suggesting that constructing an expressway over the existing railroad could be a more cost-effective solution. Challenges and Alternative Solutions Sadakbayev questioned whether the proposed expressway would deliver the anticipated benefits, stressing the importance of data-driven planning. “Authorities need to analyze cellular data to determine where people live and work, as well as how cargo and passenger traffic is organized. In some areas, solutions might involve widening streets, improving traffic signals, or simply changing road markings,” he said. Sadakbayev also noted that Bishkek’s road network problems are not being addressed comprehensively, leading to persistent traffic congestion. He criticized the lack of specialized expertise within city authorities, pointing to this as a barrier to effective urban planning. Future Developments In addition to the railroad relocation project, the mayor’s office is planning to build new traffic interchanges to alleviate congestion. CRBC is also expected to participate in these developments. According to Mayor Junushaliev, construction on three overpasses in different parts of Bishkek will commence in the near future. While the relocation of the railroad and the construction...

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EDB Supports Construction of Strategic Highway in Kyrgyzstan

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has pledged up to $200,000 for a preliminary feasibility study for the Bishkek - Kuntuu - Belogorka - Suusamyr highway. This alternative route aims to connect Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, with the southern and western regions of the country. An agreement for technical assistance was signed on December 5 between the EDB and Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers. Strategic Importance The proposed highway is expected to have significant strategic, economic, and social benefits for Kyrgyzstan. Beyond improving transport infrastructure, it will facilitate access to mineral deposits and create new employment opportunities both during construction and operation. Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board, emphasized the project’s importance: “This initiative is part of the Eurasian Transport Framework, a key investment mega-project. It aims to strengthen transport connectivity among Kyrgyzstan’s economic centers while increasing the transit potential of Kyrgyz highways and attracting greater interest in road transportation through Kyrgyzstan from neighboring countries.” Alleviating Traffic and Economic Growth Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Bekzhan Rysmendeev highlighted the project’s role in addressing existing infrastructure challenges. “The Bishkek—Osh highway, Kyrgyzstan’s main arterial road, currently handles 5,000 to 18,000 vehicles per day and is struggling to accommodate the growing traffic flow,” he explained. The new highway is set to reduce the travel distance by 164 kilometers compared to the existing route, providing an alternative pathway to southern regions and improving access to mining areas. “This public-private partnership project will ease congestion on the Bishkek—Osh route, contribute to economic and social development, and foster international and domestic tourism and trade,” Rysmendeev added. Regional Connectivity As part of the EDB’s broader mission to invest in Eurasia, this project aligns with the bank’s goals of enhancing regional connectivity and economic development. The EDB, a multilateral development institution, includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan as its member countries.