On Friday October 29, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon inaugurated the Dushanbe-Bokhtar Road, rehabilitated and improved with the support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  ADB Country Director for Tajikistan Shanny Campbell joined the inauguration ceremony.

“ADB is proud to be part of this milestone project,” said Ms. Campbell. “The Dushanbe-Bokhtar Road is a strategic north-south link and one of the most heavily travelled roads in Tajikistan, as well as part of important international corridors.”

According to ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM), ADB in 2016 and 2018 approved a total of US$155.2 million financing to Tajikistan to rehabilitate the road.

The ADB financing includes US$105.8 million in grants and a US$49.4 million concessional loan.  In addition, ADB administers a US$2 million grant from the multi-donor Clean Energy Fund under the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility.  The Government of Tajikistan provides counterpart funding of US$34.7 million, and the OPEC Fund for International Development a US$12 million co-financing loan. The Ministry of Transport is the executing agency for the project.

The rehabilitation of the ADB-financed 73-km section of the Dushanbe-Bokhtar Road was divided into two phases starting from Dushanbe.  The works included improved geometry, road widening from two to four lanes, construction of new pavements and structures, and provision of well-designed facilities to address road safety deficiencies.  The project also introduces clean energy technologies—such as solar-powered water supply and power back-up systems—to improve the living conditions of local villagers. The project also supports the Ministry of Transport’s program to improve the road safety situation of the national highway network, including tunnels, intersections, and black spots.

Since Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, the Bank has become Tajikistan’s largest multilateral development partner with more than US$2.2 billion in assistance, including around US$1.7 billion in grants, to help develop strategic road and energy infrastructure, promote food security, and strengthen social services.

Established in 1966, the Asian Development Bank is owned by 68 members - 49 from the region.