IMPROVING CONNECTIVITY IN TAJIKISTAN
Tajikistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. Due to its mountainous terrain, the population density is about 62 people per square km of arable land, one of the highest population density ratios for arable land in the world. The rural population accounts for around 73 percent of
In this context, in 2017 the OPEC Fund contributed a US$10 million loan for the improvement of two sections for a total length of 58 km of the Kulyab-Kalaikhumb road as part of a project co-financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), Islamic Development Bank
the total population, growing more rapidly than the overall population. The country is highly dependent on the overland movement of goods for local consumption as well as exports and imports. At the time of project preparation in 2017, the country’s transport
(IsDB), Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
The paved surface of this road, which trav- erses mountainous terrain, had been dete-
network comprised around 27,000 km of roads (73 percent of which were paved). The country also featured 680 km of railway tracks and four international airports. Overall, road transport accounts for about 94 percent of freight trans- port and nearly all passenger transport. The country heavily depends on transport corridors for investment, job creation and trade as mechanisms leading to economic growth and poverty reduction. Four of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) road and rail corridors cross its territory, which highlights the importance of road network connectivity and regional integration for the country. Recognizing this, to date the OPEC Fund has provided a total of US$116 million in support of 10 road transport projects in Tajikistan, including various CAREC corridor roads. However, obsolete transport infrastructure in other areas of the country had resulted in high transport costs and limited access to markets and services, posing significant barriers to the country’s economic and social development. A rapid increase in traffic had further impacted road safety records and levels of service.
riorating with the emergence of cracks and potholes, as well as damage to the structural and drainage systems. Furthermore, parts of the road had been washed away by mudslides. In winter the road had become impassable due to severe weather conditions and poor road quality. Therefore, the road required immediate improvements. All other sections of the corridor, several of which had been co-financed by the OPEC Fund, had been successfully completed by 2017. The project successfully constructed and rehabilitated 58 km of standard category III 2-lane road, including four new bridges, one tunnel and 63 new reinforced concrete culverts. As a result, the travel time on the Kulyab-Kalaikhumb road was roughly halved from 4.15 hours to about 2.15-2.65 hours, therefore also reducing vehicle operating costs. The improved road now provides year-round transport connection of the western and eastern parts of the country, including improved access to health and educational facil- ities. Moreover, authorities report that the frequency of accidents was significantly reduced.
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