Iran has agreed to construct a tunnel near Dushanbe, capital of the Central Asian state of Tajikistan, Iran Mania reported citing Iran Daily. A cooperation agreement to this effect was signed on April 7 in Dushanbe with the Tajik Transport Ministry to assist with the construction project of Charmazak Tunnel, located 45 kilometers southeast of the capital.
Iran’s government will invest $60 million in the project to be undertaken by Saber Construction Company, reported the news sources. Saber has also constructed the five- kilometer- plus Esteqlal Tunnel in northern Tajikistan in summer 2006.
The construction of the Charmazak tunnel is intended to facilitate links between central Tajikistan and its southern regions. According to the news sources, the tunnels will also prepare proper grounds for expanding transport industry and shipment of commodities among Central Asian countries, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Iran.
This information was originally published April 9, 2007 (www.iranmania.com; www.iran-daily.com) . -- 05/03/2007