DUSHANBE: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated $86.67 million to bolster Tajikistan’s road infrastructure through the development of a model green corridor, significantly enhancing the nation’s transportation network. The initiative will focus on upgrading the 49-kilometer Dangara-Guliston road, transitioning it from a two-lane to a four-lane highway.
According to Trend News Agency, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov emphasized that the Dangara-Guliston road, originally constructed in the 1930s and later rebuilt in the 1970s, will become Tajikistan’s pioneering project to incorporate climate adaptation strategies. Utilizing ADB’s green roads toolkit, the project aims to improve local quality of life, enhance climate resilience, reduce pollution levels, and support biodiversity.
Within the scope of the project, the ADB plans to establish two pilot charging stations and develop investment frameworks to attract private sector involvement in expanding the national charging
infrastructure. The upgraded road will also include dedicated cycleways and sidewalks designed with accessibility in mind, targeting women with children and individuals with disabilities. Additional features such as improved lighting, marked crossings, and community-driven safety measures are set to further enhance accessibility. Provisions for traveling mothers and infants, as well as priority seating for people with disabilities on public transport, are also part of the project.
To promote local economic development, the project will offer training to local women on business management and provide entrepreneurship grants to selected participants. The Tajik government is set to contribute $23 million, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is considering a $40 million co-financing loan, with a decision expected in early 2025. The road project is slated for completion by 2030, under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport.
ADB’s green roads toolkit, crafted in collaboration w
ith the International Road Federation and MetaMeta Research, is designed to ensure that road planning and construction practices are both environmentally sustainable and aligned with economic and social goals. Since Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, it has received over $2.7 billion in aid across different sectors, with more than $2.2 billion provided as grants.