DUSHANBE, October 20, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Over the first nine months of this year, Tajik Railways have shipped 7.023 million tons of cargo, which is 3.023 million tons fewer than in the same period last year, Usmon Qalandarov, the deputy head of Tajik Railways, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on October 20.

“Over the report period, cargo transit shipments have amounted to 3.756 million tons, which is 2.988 million tons, or 44.3 percent, fewer than in the same period of 2009,” Qalandarov said, noting that decrease in transit shipments has resulted from decrease in the number of Uzbek trains passing through Tajikistan.

“Another cause is Uzbekistan’s halting of Tajikistan-bound freight cars,” said Tajik rail company official.  “From March 16 to May 8, freight cars did not arrive in Khatlon province at all and since May 8, Uzbek authorities have allowed up to 20 freight cars to move into Khatlon province per day, while shipment of goods from Khatlon via the Amuzang station started only on September 15.”

In January-September 2010, Tajikistan’s exports by rail have amounted to 614,900 tons, which is 14,000 more than in the same period last year.  The country’s imports by rail over the report period have amounted to 3,134 million tons, which is 8,100 tons more than in January-September 2010.

Over the same nine-month period, Tajik Railways has carried more than 422,900 passengers, which is 84,000 fewer than in the same period last year.  Qalandarov links decrease in the passenger traffic to decrease in the number of Tajik nationals traveling to Russia for seasonal works and reopening of the upgraded Dushanbe-Khujand highway.

At present Tajik Railways offers three routes to the Russian Federation (Dushanbe-Moscow, Kulob-Moscow, Khujand-Saratov) and four domestic routes (Dushanbe-Konibodom, Qurghon Teppa-Konibodom, Dushanbe-Pakhtaobod and Qurghon Teppa-Kulob).

Tajikistan’s rolling-stock now includes 2,128 cargo cars, 389 passenger carriages and 55 diesel locomotives.

The total length of rails in Tajikistan is 950 kilometers; of that, 680 kilometers are the main railways.  At present there are 33 railway stations in the republic.