DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 5. In 2025,
Tajikistan had an ambitious agenda to modernize its transport
sector, focusing on infrastructure upgrades and stronger
international connections. For a landlocked country facing
difficulties in connectivity, transport development remains a
priority—not only to ease domestic links, but also to expand
transit and integrate into various logistics networks. Progress
over the year was recorded across roads, railways, aviation, urban
transport, logistics, and border infrastructure, which were
supported by state funding and support from international
partners.
1) Road transport:
Road transport continued to dominate Tajikistan’s transport
system in 2025, supported by major public investments and
large-scale construction works. Under the State Budget for 2025,
nearly 3 billion somoni ($274.35 million) was allocated to the
transport and communications sector, allowing reconstruction
projects to move forward across the country.
In the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, construction was
completed on the Kalaikhumb–Vanj–Rushan road. Works in Barsem
village included 4.5 kilometers of roadway, protection corridors,
and two new bridges spanning the Shorf and Gund rivers. Meanwhile,
in the Sughd region, more than 50 kilometers of national and
international roads were restored.
One of the most recognized initiatives was the launch of the
Dangara-Guliston Green Corridor. Covering 49 kilometers of a
highway first built in the 1930s, the project will widen the road
from 2 to 4 lanes and add bike lanes, sidewalks, lighting,
crossings, and electric vehicle stations. Financing comes from a
mixture of international sources, including a European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loan of up to €38 million and
an Asian Development Bank (ADB) grant of up to $86.7 million.
Preparatory work began in March 2025, with completion expected by
2030.
The construction of the Rogun reservoir affected the
Obigarm-Nurobod section of the M41 highway, which was the focus of
another important project. In June, the Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank approved a $2.04 million grant—its first under a
Project-Specific Window—to support restoration of a 75-kilometer
stretch.
In February, Tajikistan also signed an agreement with China’s
Zhejiang Communications Construction Group to build Central Asia’s
longest road bridge over the Surkhab River. The bridge will span
920 meters (1,500 meters including access roads) and is expected to
be completed within four years at a cost of nearly $60 million.
Alongside physical infrastructure, digital reforms advanced as
well. Under the World Bank’s CARs-4 program, a $1.1 million
contract was signed to introduce a Road Asset Management System,
aimed at improving planning and maintenance nationwide.
2) Railway transport:
Railway development in 2025 centered on electrification plans,
feasibility studies, and regional integration. Tajik Railways began
preliminary work on electrifying the 62-kilometer Vahdat–Pakhtaobod
line, which links eastern Dushanbe with the Uzbek border.
Authorities also explored electrification of the Kanibadam–Bekabad
route.
Feasibility studies continued for a proposed 51-kilometer
railway connecting Jaloliddini Balkhi with Nizhniy Pyandzh,
discussed within cooperation frameworks involving South Korea.
Tajikistan also examined possible participation in the
China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project, which is expected to
span more than 530 kilometers and include 20 stations.
As part of its chairmanship of the CIS in 2025, Tajikistan
launched work on a digitalization strategy for key intermodal
transport corridors, with technical input from UN ESCAP
experts.
3) Urban transport:
Urban transport modernization gained momentum, especially in the
capital. Tajikistan announced plans to begin work on a light metro
system in Dushanbe, with a feasibility study scheduled for
completion by spring 2025. Design work is expected to follow later
in the year. The first line, measuring 10.5 kilometers, will
connect southern districts with the city center and the State
Circus.
Electrification of public transport also moved forward. In
August, Dushanbe authorities confirmed plans to purchase 30
electric buses, each capable of traveling up to 300 kilometers on a
single charge and carrying up to 100 passengers.
The installation of 30 automated weight-and-dimension control
stations strengthened road safety enforcement by monitoring heavy
trucks at highway speeds. Tajikistan enforces a strict weight limit
of 40 tons for heavy vehicles.
4) Aviation sector:
The aviation sector saw notable expansion through new routes and
international agreements. New and resumed flights included
Dushanbe–Krasnoyarsk, Dushanbe–Beijing, Kashgar–Khujand, and
Xi’an–Dushanbe, improving links with Russia and China.
Visa-free air travel between Tajikistan and Iran came into
effect on February 3, allowing citizens of both countries to stay
for up to 30 days within a 90-day period. Tajikistan and China also
continued efforts to convert the POMIR–AGVUT air corridor into a
transit route, boosting Asia–Europe overflight capacity.
In July, Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates signed an air
transport cooperation agreement, creating a legal framework for
regular and charter flights.
5) Logistics and transit:
International logistics integration accelerated during the year.
Tajikistan reached agreements with Iran to use the Chabahar port
for cargo transit and began planning a logistics center involving
Tajik businesses. The port currently operates 10 berths and covers
an area of 450 hectares.
Japan supported Tajikistan’s role in the Trans-Caspian
International Transport Route with an $8.6 million grant to
modernize freight-scanning equipment and build a crossover rail
track at the Spitamen customs post. The project will be implemented
over 36 months.
6) Border infrastructure:
Progress was also reflected in regional connectivity through new
border agreements with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Several
checkpoints were reopened and upgraded, including the newly
operational Bekabad Auto and Khavastabad crossings on the
Tajik–Uzbek border. In total, 17 official checkpoints are now
functioning between the two countries.
