DUSHANBE, April 30, 2001, Asia-Plus  -- When introducing road toll it is necessary to take into consideration social and economic situation of the population, otherwise it may cause social tension, Tajik expert Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to him, the government ought to take into account many factors before launching any project.  “If the government does not take these factors into consideration and introduces road toll, which is profitable only for any specific firms or persons, this may have negative consequences,” Sayfullozoda said.

He considers that the road toll may be introduced only when alternative route exists and the population is economically and psychologically ready for this mechanism.  “The company that manages the toll road must be maximally transparent,” the expert noted.

“In the meantime, nobody is currently able to explain what company collects tolls and where these funds go,” stressed Sayfullozoda,  “Tajikistan’s residents have the right to know what for the road toll was introduced and what company collects tolls.”