DUSHANBE, May 12, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Chinese company, China Road and Bridge Corporation, has asked again the Tajik authorities to postpone the introduction of the Shahriston Tunnel into operation, according to the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak Highway Rehabilitation Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

“In a letter sent to the Government o Tajikistan, China Road and Bridge Corporation asks to postpone the deadline for the tunnel’s completion until the next year,” said the PIU source.  “Chinese specialists justify their request for postponement of completion of the construction of the tunnel by saying that soft structure of rock makes drifting operations difficult.”

According to him, it remains to construct just 758 meters of the tunnel.

The 5,252-meter Shahriston Tunnel is part the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway rehabilitation project.  The tunnel is being constructed with help of specialists from China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).  A total budget for construction of the Shahriston Tunnel is US$51.7 million.

The Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway rehabilitation project was launched in summer 2006.  Chinese company, China Road and Bridge Corporation, won the tender and Beijing in 2006 offered Tajikistan grants and loans to fund the project.  A total project cost is estimated at $295.9 million, including $281.1 million provided by the Chinese government in a form of a long-term loan.  The loan carries a 20-year period and an interest rate of 2 percent per annum.  The remaining some $14.8 million have been provided by the Government of Tajikistan.