Tajikistan : Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project

Sovereign Project | 52042-001

The Obigarm-Nurobod road section of the existing M41 highway, which carries about 3,000 vehicles per day, will be inundated once the HPP reservoir has filled to operating levels. The realignment of this road section through the river valley is not part of the Rogun HPP project. A bypass road must be completed and opened to traffic by latest November 2023, the date by which the rising water in the HPP reservoir will have inundated several critical sections of the M41 highway. No other part of Tajikistan's national highway network can provide for this traffic, and the only alternative route would represent a deviation of about 500 km. The government has requested ADB's assistance to construct a 72 km long road section that will bypass the HPP reservoir through mountainous terrain (the project road).

Project Details

Project Name Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project
Project Number 52042-001
Country / Economy Tajikistan
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Loan
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 0683-TAJ: Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3 and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project
Asian Development Fund US$ 110.00 million
Loan: Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank US$ 40.00 million
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development US$ 150.00 million
OPEC Fund for International Development US$ 40.00 million
Operational Priorities OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability
OP7: Fostering regional cooperation and integration
Sector / Subsector

Transport / Road transport (non-urban)

Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Description The Obigarm-Nurobod road section of the existing M41 highway, which carries about 3,000 vehicles per day, will be inundated once the HPP reservoir has filled to operating levels. The realignment of this road section through the river valley is not part of the Rogun HPP project. A bypass road must be completed and opened to traffic by latest November 2023, the date by which the rising water in the HPP reservoir will have inundated several critical sections of the M41 highway. No other part of Tajikistan's national highway network can provide for this traffic, and the only alternative route would represent a deviation of about 500 km. The government has requested ADB's assistance to construct a 72 km long road section that will bypass the HPP reservoir through mountainous terrain (the project road). It will be constructed to two-lane asphalt surfaced standard, and will include three tunnels with a total length of about 6 km, one high level bridge about 700 m long, and 13 shorter bridges with a total length of about 975 m. The construction of some parts of the project road started in 1988 (mostly earthworks) but was suspended following the abandonment of the Rogun HPP project.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Timely construction of the project road is a government priority, as reflected by its inclusion in the National Development Strategy, and its consistency with the ADB country partnership strategy. The request to finance this project was renewed by the President of Tajikistan during the visit of ADB President to Tajikistan in November 2017.

Tajikistan depends heavily on its road transport corridors to support investment, job creation, trade, and ultimately economic growth and poverty reduction. Despite its strategic location, the country has a gross domestic product per capita of just $819, and 32% of the population still lives below the poverty line. Almost 70% of the population lives in rural areas, in a largely mountainous territory where only 10% of the land is suitable for cultivation. The road transport sector suffers from low quality, long travel times, and poor reliability. Four Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) corridors (2, 3, 5, and 6) cross parts of Tajikistan, offering the opportunity for Tajikistan to enhance its connectivity and trade competitiveness.

Impact

(i) Economic growth promoted

(ii) Competitive corridors across the CAREC region established

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Connectivity and safety along the Obigarm-Nurobod road improved

Progress Toward Outcome Civil works are ongoing, while the road safety campaign program is being commenced.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Project roads constructed, and road safety awareness increased

MOT''s institutional capacity on asset management strengthened

Women''s access to economic opportunities enhanced

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) For output 1, civil works are ongoing along the bypass sections. Civil works will be commenced for the access roads once social safeguards due diligence is completed. The implementing agency is finalizing the road safety campaign program for local populations. Regarding output 2, the toll option analysis report was prepared in November 2022, which is currently the inter-ministerial review, while the executing and implementing agencies are preparing the training program on tunnel operation. For output 3, consultations with local authorities and women in the project area were carried out in 2022 to identify their needs relating to entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurship program for women residing along the project road is under preparation.
Geographical Location Nurobod, Obigarm
Safeguard Categories
Environment A
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The government cleared the project's environmental impact assessment (EIA) report and ADB in 2020; the final EIA was disclosed on the ADB website. The environmental management plan was included in the final EIA, which the contractor updated as the site-specific environmental management plan (SSEMP). The Engineer approved the SSEMP before implementation. The implementation of the SSEMP has been monitored during implementation. Monitoring results are documented in semi-annual environmental monitoring reports. The three semi-annual environmental monitoring reports have been submitted and disclosed to the ADB website.
Involuntary Resettlement The land acquisition and resettlement plan (LARP) for the bypass section was implemented, and its implementation compliance report was cleared by ADB in 2020. Social safeguards monitoring is ongoing during implementation, and when any unexpected impacts are identified, an addendum to the LARP is prepared. Meanwhile, social safeguards due diligence is to be conducted for the community access roads and is expected to be concluded in April 2023. The four semi-annual social safeguards monitoring reports have been submitted and disclosed on the ADB website.
Indigenous Peoples There are no indigenous peoples in the project area, as defined in ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement 2009, and thus the project will be classified as category C for indigenous people's impacts. Nonetheless, monitoring works have been continued.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Public consultations were undertaken during appraisal, which was documented in the safeguards assessment reports. The grievance redress mechanism was established.
During Project Implementation The information dissemination and disclosure to the project's stakeholders have been implemented. The project's information boards have been installed around the project area. The grievance redress mechanism is operational, and grievances received are documented in the semi-annual safeguards monitoring reports. In addition, with the project management consultant's help, the implementing agency conducted consultations with local authorities and women around the project road in 2022 to identify their interests and business needs for developing entrepreneurship programs for women residing along the project road.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services The two consultant service contracts (construction supervision and project management) were awarded.
Procurement The procurement for the civil works package (construction of the Obigarm-Tagikamar highway) was concluded.
Responsible ADB Officer Kim, Seunghyun
Responsible ADB Department Sectors Group
Responsible ADB Division Transport Sector Office (SG-TRA)
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Transport
Timetable
Concept Clearance 04 Jun 2018
Fact Finding 03 Jun 2019 to 11 Jun 2019
MRM 10 Sep 2019
Approval 05 Dec 2019
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 02 Apr 2023

Grant 0683-TAJ

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
05 Dec 2019 31 Dec 2019 31 Jul 2020 31 Dec 2024 - -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 138.10 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 110.00 26 Oct 2023 73.49 0.00 67%
Counterpart 28.10 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 26 Oct 2023 54.98 0.00 50%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Updated Project Administration Manual Project/Program Administration Manual Sep 2023
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2022) Audited Project Financial Statements Jul 2023
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (31 July 2020-31 December 2021) Audited Project Financial Statements Aug 2022
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans May 2022
Grant Agreement (Special Operations) for Grant 0683-TAJ: Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project Grant Agreement Dec 2019
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Gender Action Plan Gender Action Plans Nov 2019
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Report and Recommendation of the President Reports and Recommendations of the President Nov 2019
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Project Administration Manual Project/Program Administration Manual Oct 2019
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Jun 2018
Проект восстановления транспортных коридоров 2, 3 и 5 Центральноазиатского регионального экономического сотрудничества (ЦАРЭС) (Обигарм – Нуробод) : Информация о проекте Translated PDS Jun 2018

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

Title Document Type Document Date
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Obigarm-Tagikamar Road Section (Section 1) Addendum 1 to Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Sep 2023
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2023) Social Monitoring Reports Jul 2023
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Assessment of Compliance with the Social Safeguards Requirements for Rehabilitation of 11 Communities Access Roads Social Safeguard Due Diligence Report Safeguards Due Diligence Reports Jul 2023
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Environmental Monitoring Report (January-June 2023) Environmental Monitoring Reports Jul 2023
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Environmental Monitoring Report (July-December 2022) Environmental Monitoring Reports Mar 2023
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2022) Social Monitoring Reports Jan 2023
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Environmental Monitoring Report (January-June 2022) Environmental Monitoring Reports Nov 2022
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2022) Social Monitoring Reports Oct 2022
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Environmental Monitoring Report (July-December 2021) Environmental Monitoring Reports May 2022
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2021) Social Monitoring Reports Apr 2022
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2021) Social Monitoring Reports Oct 2021
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Environmental Monitoring Report (January-June 2021) Environmental Monitoring Reports Sep 2021
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Obigarm–Tagikamar Road Section Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan Implementation Compliance Report Social Monitoring Reports Aug 2020
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Impact Assessments Jul 2020
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Obigarm–Tagikamar Road Section Resettlement Plan (Russian) Resettlement Plans Feb 2020
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project: Obigarm-Tagikamar Road Section Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Aug 2019
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm-Nurobod) Road Project: Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Impact Assessments Jul 2019

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Project Implementation Support Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Project Implementation Support Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Project Manager Individual - Consulting Closed
Project Manager Individual - Consulting Closed
Project Management Consultant Firm - Consulting Closed
Construction Supervision Consultant Firm - Consulting Closed
52042-TAJ: Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project [ONRP/CW/CP-01] Invitation for Bids Closed
52042-TAJ: CAREC Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project Advance Notice Active
52042-TAJ: CAREC Corridors 2, 3, and 5 (Obigarm–Nurobod) Road Project Advance Notice Active

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Project Implementation Support Specialist Grant 0683 04 May 2023 Gareth Rhys Evans | 405 N Drew Street, Appleton, Wisconsin, USA 54911 Ministry of Transport 125,000.00
Project Implementation Support Specialist Grant 0683 01 Mar 2022 Mehmet Sina Velioglu | Katta Mirabad 28/9 Tashkent Uzbekistan 100128 Ministry of Transport 159,800.00
CONSTRUCTION OF THE OBIGARM-TAGIKAMAR ROAD SECTION (KM 0+000-KM 30+217) Grant 0683 31 Mar 2021 HUNAN ROAD & BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION GROUP COMPANY LIMITED | P.C. 410004 NO. 239-SOUTH SHAOSHAN ROAD YUHUA DIST. CHANGSHA CITY HUNAN PROV. CHINA, PEOPLE'S REP OF Ministry of Transport 67,740,421.12
PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT Grant 0683 15 Apr 2021 DAINICHI CONSULTANT INC. IN ASSOC W/ SUE | 3-1-21 YABUTA MINAMI GIFU CITY GIFU 500-8384 JAPAN Ministry of Transport 1,130,000.00
CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION CONSULTANT Grant 0683 30 Nov 2020 JV TEMELSU INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES | YILDIZEVLER 721 SOKAK NO: 6 065550 CANKAYA, ANKARA, TURKEY Ministry of Transport 4,398,400.00

Procurement Plan