DUSHANBE (TCA) — Preparatory work is ongoing for a project to improve the Obigarm-Nurobod bypass road section in Tajikistan, which is also located on the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) corridors 2, 3, and 5, the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) country office in Tajikistan said on January 22.
A $1 million technical assistance grant from the Asian Development Bank is developing a design and feasibility study, as well as procurement documents for the proposed road improvement project.
“The road project is a strategic priority for the Government of Tajikistan both from the national and regional perspectives,” said ADB Country Director for Tajikistan Mr. Pradeep Srivastava. “The road is part of an important international corridor, while also providing access to economic opportunities and social services for 17 villages and communities.”
Preliminary total cost of the proposed project is around $350 million. It includes the construction of about 75 kilometers of a two-lane highway, several bridges, and tunnels.
The government held a roundtable last week in Dushanbe to secure financial support from development partners for the proposed project.
Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998. To date, ADB has approved a total of over $1.7 billion in grants, concessional loans, and technical assistance to the country. ADB and Tajikistan’s development partnership has restored and built the country’s new transport and energy infrastructure, supported social development, expanded agricultural production, and improved regional cooperation and trade.
