DUSHANBE, July 9, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon has got acquitted with the process of the construction of the Shahriston Tunnel in Sughd province.

According to presidential press service, Rahmon yesterday evening visited the northern portal of the tunnel.

The 5,252-meter Shahriston Tunnel is part the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway rehabilitation project and the project implementation unit managers informed the president that builders have constructed some 4,000 meters of the tunnel to this day.  394 people are involved in the construction of the tunnel; some 100 of them are nationals of Tajikistan.

The president ordered to finish the tunnel by July 2011, presidential press service said.

We will recall that the Shahriston Tunnel is being constructed with help of specialists from China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

The Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway rehabilitation project was launched in summer 2006.  Chinese company, China Road and Bridge Corporation, won the tender and Beijing in 2006 offered Tajikistan grants and loans to fund the project.

A total project cost is estimated at $295.9 million, including $281.1 million provided by the Chinese government in a form of a long-term loan.  The loan carries a 20-year period and an interest rate of 2 percent per annum.  The remaining some $14.8 million are provided by the Government of Tajikistan.