DUSHANBE, June 11, 2013, Asia-Plus – Turkish company, Aselsan Inc, intends to participate in replacement of the tolling system of operation of the Dushanbe-Chanak highway, according to the Branch of Innovative Road Solutions (IRS) in Tajikistan.

Representatives of Aselsan Inc reportedly visited Dushanbe last week.  While in Tajikistan, the delegation members got acquainted with the existing tolling system, online monitoring mechanism as well as with the pace of construction work on the 15th kilometer of the Dushanbe-Chanak highway.  The toll-collection point “Varzob” is expected to be relocated to that place.

We will recall the IRS Branch, which operates the toll on the Dushanbe-Chanak highway, have announced an international tender for replacement of the existing tolling system.

Russian company, Techno-Traffic, has also shown interest in participation in the tender.  Specialists from Techno-Traffic reportedly visited Tajikistan in late May to get acquainted with the Dushanbe-Chanak project and study the existing tolling system.

IRS was permitted to operate the toll on the Dushanbe-Chanak highway in 2010.  A 354-kilometer toll road from Dushanbe to Chanak links Tajikistan''s capital with Uzbekistan through the northern province of Sughd.

The highway was upgraded by Chinese companies and paid for with a $280 million loan from China.  The Tajik government decided that in order to repay the loan to China, a toll would be collected for using the road starting on April 1, 2010.

Seven toll-collection points (plaza) now function on the Dushanbe-Chanak high-way: Varzob; Hushyori; Maikhoura; Shahriston, Istaravshan, Dehmoy; and Chorukh.

Established at the end of 1975, Aselsan Inc is a leading electronics and electronic systems company in Turkey that designs, develops and manufactures modern electronic systems for military and industrial customers, in Turkey and abroad.