DUSHANBE, February 11, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Some 4 million somoni (equivalent to more than 900,000 U.S. dollars) have been spent for implementation of the Dushanbe-Qurghon Teppa railroad construction project to this day, according to Tajik Railways.

These funds have been used for construction of a 46-kilometer section of this railroad from the town of Vahdat to the Yovon district in the Khatlon province, the source at the Tajik Railways noted, adding that they have also spent more than 5.2 million somoni for purchase of necessary equipment.

The cost for implementation of the Dushanbe-Qurghon Teppa railroad construction project is estimated at more than 120 million U.S. dollars.  “It is a very big sum and Tajik Railways is not able to build this railway link on its own,” said the source, “Therefore, we are currently seeking investors for this project.”

The project for construction the railway link connecting Dushanbe and Qurghon Teppa, the capital of the Khatlon province includes rehabilitation of the railroad from Dushanbe railway station to the Elok station at the Vahdat town and the railroad from Yvon-2 station to the Qurghon Teppa station as well as construction of the 46-kilomer railway link that will connect Vahdat and Yovn-2 station.

We will recall that Tajikistan launched the project in March 2009.  President Emomali Rahmon, speaking at the launch ceremony, invited foreign investors to take part in the project.