A 7-km toll tunnel will be built in Takhtaqaracha pass

A serious step has finally been taken towards the long-awaited construction of a tunnel in the Takhtakoracha pass, which connects the Samarkand and Kashkadarya regions. This was announced by Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov during his speech in the Oliy Majlis.

According to the minister, the project will be implemented on the basis of public-private partnership. The planned length of the tunnel is approximately 7 kilometers. At present, technical and economic justifications are being requested from the applicants.

"In August, we will hold a competition among three candidates. The company declared the winner will sign a contract, and the project will be implemented. This year we will complete the design work and move to the practical stage," said Ilkhom Makhkamov.

The initiative to build this tunnel was first proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2019. However, despite several years having passed, no actual work had begun, and at a July 2023 meeting, the head of state sharply criticized the fact that the project existed only on paper.

In the same year, particularly in October, at a meeting in the Kashkadarya region, the President once again returned to this issue and gave clear instructions to speed up the tunnel construction.

It is known that the Takhtakoracha pass is not only seasonally dangerous but also a section with heavy traffic flow. Thus, building a tunnel here is important not only for convenience but also for safety, especially in winter when fires, snowfalls, or icing may occur.

Citizens are also showing interest in the fact that the tunnel will be a toll one. However, experts note that public-private partnerships and paid services are widely used solutions in global practice for the fast and efficient implementation of such large infrastructure projects.

It is expected that the Takhtakoracha tunnel will soon become one of the most important infrastructure facilities. Once construction begins, it is expected to significantly ease the transport flow in the country, increase the efficiency of cargo and passenger transportation, and positively affect economic activity. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!