DUSHANBE, December 3, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- This year, the Khaburabat Pass, connecting the Tajik capital to the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region, has been closed for traffic since December 1 due to heavy snowfalls, according to the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC).

The source at a MoTC said that the pass would be closed for traffic through May next year and road transportation between the central part of Tajikistan and Gorno Badakhshan was now carried out through roads of the Khatlon province.

The Khaburabat Pass located in GBAO’s Darvoz district is closed for traffic every year during winter-spring period because of heavy snowfalls for some 6-7 months, usually from November through May.

The source added that the Anzob Pass located some 80 kilometers northwest of Dushanbe and connecting the Tajik capital to Tajikistan’s second largest city, Khujand, has also been closed for traffic since December 1 for the same reasons.  Until late May next year, vehicles will run between Dushanbe and Khujand through the Istiqlol Tunnel.  Goods transport will move through the tunnel in accordance with a certain schedule, the source said.