DUSHANBE, June 20, 2013, Asia-Plus -- Prime Minister Oqil oqilov has visited the city of Norak today.

According to Subhiddin Muhiddinov, a senior consultant with the President’s press service, the purpose of the visit was for the prime minister to get acquainted with the progress of construction of economic and social facilities in the city.

Oqilov also visited the Norak hydroelectric power plant (HPP), open joint-stock company (OJSC) Tajikgidromontazh and the 500 kV substation Norak.

While in Norak, the prime minister got acquainted with the progress of construction of the health center, modern shopping center, sports complex and some other social facilities, Muhiddinov said.

Norak is a city in the Khatlon province.  It is situated on the Vakhsh River, 885 meters above sea level, and is 70 kilometers southeast of Dushanbe.  It has a population of some 52,000.  The city was founded in 1960 alongside the construction of Norak Dam, which was completed in 1980.  The city also has a military area housing personnel working at the nearby optical satellite tracking facility, the Okno ("Window") complex belonging to the Russian Space Forces.