Tajikistan: Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 5, and 6 (Dushanbe–Kurgonteppa) Road Project

Transport / Road transport (non-urban)

The project will improve the connectivity between the capital Dushanbe and Kurgonteppa, which are two major cities and economic hubs in Tajikistan. The road is a strategic north -south link, and one of the most heavily traveled roads in the country, as well as the confluence of CAREC corridors 2, 5, and 6. The project will upgrade an approximately

33-kilometer (km) road section between Dushanbe and Chashmasoron, improve facilities and safety along and in the vicinity of this road section, strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Transport (MOT), and complete procurement readiness for the next section of the road to be improved.

Regional integration and transport infrastructure needs. Tajikistan is a landlocked mountainous country in Central Asia bordered by Afghanistan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan. Despite its strategic location, the country has a gross domestic product per capita of just $1,037, and 35% of the population still lived below the poverty line in 2013. Almost 70% of the population lives in rural areas, in a largely mountainous territory (90%), where only 10% of the land is suitable for cultivation. Tajikistan heavily depends on transport corridors to support investment, job creation, trade, and ultimately economic growth and poverty reduction. The road transport sector suffers from low quality, long travel times, and poor reliability, which hinder the country's economic growth. Four CAREC regional corridors (2, 3, 5, and 6) cross parts of Tajikistan, offering a great opportunity for Tajikistan to enhance its connectivity and trade competitiveness.

Inadequate road connectivity, efficiency, and safety. The 27,000 kilometers (km) road network was largely constructed before the 1970s, and the rapid increase of traffic in some arterial roads is intensifying pressure on aging transport infrastructure. Tajikistan has limited links to neighboring countries, especially Afghanistan and the People's Republic of China. The overall condition of the road network is relatively poor, which is due in part to the initial poor design and quality of construction, as well as inadequate subsequent maintenance of pavements and structures. Funding for routine and periodic road maintenance has increased steadily from TJS30.3 million in 2009 to TJS60.5 million in 2016. Yet, there is a funding gap to meet network needs. The lack of a road asset management system compounds the problem, thus the need to optimize the allocation of funds based on needs and functions. The road safety record in Tajikistan is dismal despite its low level of vehicle ownership (about 50 vehicles per 1,000 people). The World Health Organization estimates that there were 1,543 fatalities in 2013, which corresponds to 18.8 fatalities per 100,000 people. The transport system needs to be planned and operated to reduce road safety crashes. A better road asset management is needed to maintain the network in good serviceable condition and provide a reliable service throughout the year to support Tajikistan's internal and external trade competitiveness.

Road sector achievements and lessons. The road network under MOT jurisdiction totals 13,968 km, comprising 3,178 km of international roads (23%), 2,120 km of national roads (15%), and 8,670 km of local roads (62%). The backbone of Tajikistan's national road network has been largely improved with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners. ADB investments in the transport sector improved about 810 km of CAREC roads and 350 km of rural roads, introduced pilot projects on performance-based maintenance, raised awareness regarding road safety, and reduced cross-border barriers. Lessons from previous projects were incorporated into the design of this project, including giving specific attention to project readiness, and developing systems and capacity regarding financial management, road safety, and road asset management.

Government sector strategy and plans. The development of the transport sector is guided by the government's National Development Strategy and the Transport Sector Master Plan, and implemented through the State Program on Transport Sector Development, 2010-2025. The Transport Sector Master Plan, developed with ADB assistance, is the basis for the government's strategic sector planning; as such it provides a framework for coordination among government bodies and development partners. The State Program on Transport Sector Development includes a list of short-, medium-, and long-term investments that is regularly reviewed and updated.

Strategic pillar on promotion of economic growth

CAREC program's strategic goal of establishing competitive corridors across the CAREC region

Improved road conditions, facilities, and safety along, and in the vicinity of the project road

Strengthened MOT institutional capacity in terms of financial management, road safety, and road asset management

Completed procurement readiness for the next road section to be improved

Output 1: Road construction commenced in the first quarter of 2018.

Output 2: Capacity development activities are on-going.

Output 3: Procurement of civil works and consulting services completed. Civil works contract for rehabilitation and improvement of Dushanbe - Kurgonteppa road was signed in July 2018, while consulting services contract for Project Management and Contract Supervision was signed in August 2018.