DUSHANBE, June 30, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Cases of theft of freight bound for Tajikistan on Uzbek territory have been reported, Andrey Tropin, the deputy head of the shipment department of Tajik Railways, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to him, the cargo theft cases have been taking place most likely during customs control at the Uzbek railroad station Kudukli.  “Customs officers have the right to check the freight cars but we cannot control the whole customs control process,” said Tajik railroad official, “Short delivery is revealed when freight cars arrive in Tajikistan.”

Tropin noted that the Tajik state rail company had received a number of applications from Tajik entrepreneurs on that subject and the issue was currently being discussed with the Uzbek side.

In the meantime, the deputy head of Tajik Railways, Vladimir Sobkalov, notes that 1,190 freight cars bound for Tajikistan are still being held up in Ubzekistan – 800 of them are bound for Dushanbe and 390 others are bound for Qurghon Teppa, the capital of Khatlon province.

Up to 20 freight cars now arrive in Khatlon every day, Sobkalov stressed, adding that there are no any serious problems with transit of freight bound for Dushanbe.