DUSHANBE, August 2, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- A special commission, led by Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov, today morning departed for Ayni district.

According to the Prime Minister Secretariat, the main purpose of the visit is for the commission to get acquainted with the process of recovery work on the road connecting Ayni and Kuhistoni Mastchoh district that was seriously affected by a landslide that occurred in the area on July 31.

During his stay in Ayni district, Mr. Oqilov will also familiarize himself with socioeconomic situation of the district and hold meeting with the district administrators.

“The prime minister and local officials will also discuss the progress of implementation of reforms being carried out in the educational, health and agrarian sectors in Zarafshon Valley,” the source said.

We will recall that a landslide that occurred on July 31 blocked some 400 meters of the road connecting Ayni and Kuhistoni Mastchoh districts.  According to some sources, the landslide carrying with it some 800,000 cubic meters of mud and slurry blocked the road near the village of Rarz, Ayni district.

In the meantime, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports that Abdumajid Sharifov, head of the road building directorate within the Ministry of Transport noted that the landslide had carried 900,000 cubic meters of mud and blocked the river and flooding had affected some 1.5 kilometers of the road.