DUSHANBE, December 12, Asia-Plus - A one-day training seminar for employees of Tajikistan’s highways services on management and maintenance of automotive roads was held in Dushanbe on December 12, according to the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC).

A source at a MoTC said that the seminar had been conducted as part of technical assistance by the Asian Development Bank to Tajikistan in maintaining the automotive roads in the republic.   “The Asian Development Bank has invited consultant from the United States, Marian Zechariah, who acquainted our highways specialists with new principles of maintenance of automotive roads,” the source said.  

The US consultant noted that nearly US$3 billion are needed to rehabilitate all the automotive roads in Tajikistan.  However, if to thoroughly analyze all the ways it is possible to reduce these expenses to US$1 million, according to him.  The consultant pointed to the necessity of using innovation approaches to maintain the automotive roads.  According to him, one of important means to maintain roads is a geotextile cover that protects asphalt against water and destructions.