Chinese Government provides RMB 1.307 billion grant — via a June 2019 ETCA — for Kalai Khumb-Vanj Section of Dushanbe-Kulma Highway Reconstruction Project (Linked to Record ID#90579, #92674, and #72612)

Project narrative

On June 15, 2019, the Chinese Government and the Government of Tajikistan signed an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) (as captured via Record ID#90579), in which the Chinese Government which officially committed RMB 2.5 billion ($360 million) of grant funding for various road projects. The Majlisi Namoayndagon (Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament) yesterday ratified the ETCA on October 30, 2019. The Government of Tajikistan subsequently drew RMB 1.307 billion ($186 million) from the ETCA for the Kalai Khumb-Vanj Section of Dushanbe-Kulma Highway Reconstruction Project (as captured via Record ID#88813). Another grant of RMB 800 million was given in October 2021 (as captured via Record ID#92674). The purpose of the project is to link Kalai-Khumb to Vanj and the Rushon district. This 80 km road segment is part of the 96 km Dushanbe-Kulma highway. The project also involves the construction of two tunnels (5.2 km long), 67 spillways of various diameters, 5 protective corridors (490 meters long), 15 bridges (634 meters long), 180 artificial containment walls (21.8 km long), 54 km of protective walls, and 13 open ditches (1.8 km long). China Bridge and Road Corporation (CRBC) is responsible for implementation. Construction for the highway section officially began on June 23, 2022. This project is expected to reach completion on or before 2026.