DUSHANBE, July 26, Asia-Plus - A ceremony of official opening of the Anzob tunnel was held on its southern portal on July 26.

Prime Minster Oqil Oqilov telling an inaugural ceremony stressed that it was of great socioeconomic significance for the country.  

The tunnel linking northern Tajikistan with the central regions of the country has been built by Iranian construction firm “Sobir International” and with Iranian investment.

 The prime minister noted that the main works on the tunnel were done on a high professional level.  Oqilov also noted that at present 14 transportation projects totaling US$486 million have been implemented in Tajikistan .   

The first president of Tajikistan Qahhor Mahkamov also told the ceremony.  He noted that “finally, old dream of Tajiks became true.” 

Speaking to journalists, Abdurrahim Ashurov, Minister of Transport, noted that a total cost of the Anzob tunnel was US$39 million.  “Of this amount, US$31 million have been provided by Iran in forms of loans (US$21) and grants (US$10 million).”  The minister noted that the tunnel capacity was 5,000 cars a day.  All in all 500 people have been involved in the construction of the Anzob tunnel, and 70 percent of them are citizens of Tajikistan , according to Abdurrahim Ashurov.   

“At present, we are considering the issue of paid proceeding via the tunnel, but for this it is necessary to make appropriate amendments to the country’s laws,” Mr. Ashurov said, noting that decoration works will continue and the tunnel will be put into operation completely in April 2007.   

On the construction of a tunnel on the Chormaghzak pass in southern Tajikistan , Abdurrahim Ashurov noted that the presidents of Tajikistan and Iran reached the preliminary agreement on this issue yesterday.  “The work on the construction of the Chormaghzak tunnel is supposed to start in 2007 and this tunnel is expected to be finished in 2 1/2 or 3 years,” Mr. Ashurov concluded.