Minister of Transport of Tajikistan, Azim Ibrohim, has instructed the creation of a Task Force to accelerate the rehabilitation work on the Kalai Khumb - Vanch highway section, the entrance to the Rushan district. The directive was given last week while the minister was inspecting the progress of construction on the road segment.
The Task Force is tasked with monitoring the construction progress every 15 days and providing information on the quality and speed of the work. The head of the Task Force is appointed as the first deputy minister of transport, Rahim Bobozoda.
During a meeting with builders, Azim Ibrohim emphasized the strategic importance of the reconstruction of this section within the framework of the "Dushanbe - Kulma" road reconstruction project, which is under the constant and direct control of the country's president.
The minister stressed the need to focus on the quality of the work, particularly highlighting the completion of bridges No.1 (September) and No.2 (August) and expediting the construction of bridges No.4, 6, and 7. Concrete and stone-cement pillars are expected to be completed between May and July this year. Pipeline and culvert installations in populated areas, drilling, blasting, and earthworks should be completed from May to September.
Earlier in February this year, the Minister of Transport announced at a press conference that the reconstruction of the Kalai Khumb - Vanch - Rushan border road, which will be part of a interregional multimodal corridor, is planned to be completed by the end of this year.
As of April 11th this year, construction work on all sections is progressing according to plan. Tunnel No.1 has been excavated to a depth of 921 meters from the entrance (village of Kevron). Reinforcement works, shotcrete, and tunnel concreting are ongoing.
Tunnel No.2 (Togmay - Kurgovad) has been excavated to 164 meters from the entrance, with ongoing activities for laying, temporary reinforcement, and concreting. Construction of vehicular bridges is also on track, with progress on concrete pillar construction at bridge No.1 (Kalai Khumb village) at 33%, drilling and reinforcement at bridge No.2 (Kevron village) at 13%, concrete works at bridge No.3 (Jorf village) at 76%, concrete works at bridge No.5 (Vishharv village) at 85%, drilling and concrete works at bridge No.6 (Shodak village) at 30%, and drilling at bridge No.10 (Pshikharv village) at 3%.
Currently, earthworks are underway on the 57 km section, with ongoing relocation of engineering communications (communication and electricity) within the reconstructed road sections.
The Ministry of Transport notes that the project for this section includes the construction of 15 vehicular bridges, two tunnels (total length of 5.2 km), and 5 avalanche galleries (438 meters). Additionally, 22,000 meters of concrete and stone fences, installation of 150 drainage pipes, and electricity lines (17.7 km) for lighting in 14 villages of the Darvoz and Vanch districts are planned.
After the full reconstruction, this 109 km road segment crossing the borders of Darvoz and Vanch districts, passing through a mountain range, will be shortened by 16 km to a total of 92.3 km. The rehabilitation budget for this section exceeds $200 million, provided as non-repayable aid by the Chinese government. The China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is the general contractor for the project, with the direct implementation starting on September 27, 2021.
