Bridges across Panj River: good or evil?
James Hill at New York Times reports that thanks to funding from US state budget the Italian company Rizzani de Eccher is nearly to complete construction of strategically important bridge across Panj river which will connect Tajikistan and Afghanistan, ‘offering the promise of economic development’ in this region.
Some experts say that the bridge is going to boost trade between the countries on one of the world’s least traveled borders.
“The bridge is the symbol, the concrete symbol, of larger regional integration,” Tracey Ann Jacobson, the United States ambassador to Tajikistan, said as she toured the structure in late May with foreign diplomats.
Others, like Elizabeth K. Horst, chief of the political and economics section at the American Embassy in Dushanbe say that it is not that easy job to promote and facilitate trade across the bridge.
“It is a really good idea, but making it happen on the ground is going to be harder than people realize.”
The bridge across Panj river in Nizhni Pyanj is not the only bridge that connects Tajikistan and Afghanistan. James Hill did not say anything about the three other bridges which were recently built by Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Previously there was only one bridge in Ishkashim and several ferries used first by Soviet army to transport armors and later by international organizations to transport humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. As of today, there are four bridges, taking into account the Nizhni Pyanj Bridge, which connect two countries “separated for generations — first by ideology, then by instability and a dearth of safe and easy routes.”
Several years ago Aga Khan Development Network initiated construction of three bridges across Panj River. One was built in Tem district in Khorog - replacing the old ferry, the other was built in Darwaz and the last was built in Ishkashim - replacing the old one built during the Soviet-Afghan war. All three bridges were constructed with the same purpose as the one constructed in Nizhni Pyanj – at smaller scale promotion of trade and commerce between Tajikistan and Afghanistan and at larger scale promotion of regional integration.
No matter how good these bridges are in economic terms, it seems that the government of Tajikistan is not passionate to use them at full capacity. There is a serious concern that bridges will increase not only trade but also the inflow of narcotics. Yesterday, president Emomali Rahmon blamed NATO and US in not struggling against the production of narcotics in Afghanistan. According to Rahmon every time he tried to tell the representatives of NATO and US about his concerns, they always said in response that struggle against narcotics is not part of their mission in Afghanistan.
on June 5th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
It is definitely a good development since it offers an alternative trade routes for Tajikistan to those which currently exist. With power hungry Afhganistan/Pakistan and abundant hydropower resources in Tajikistan the bridge is surely a positive factor in future economic development of the country.
Russia may not like it though since it may signal that Tajikistan is slipping away from its influence.
To me that is a good thing.
on June 5th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
although there’s more to dislike in the leadership of our president, he is right about the narcotics issue in afghanistan…the production of heroin tripled, since the US-led “anti-terrorist” compaign…as to the bridged, they are good, provided used legally, for the overall socio-economic development of the afghanistan and tajikistan, especially for the former…
on June 5th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Tajik boy,
Yes, definitely it is a positive thing that Tajikistan has more alternative trade routes but hope these routes don’t become new alternative routes for the drug-smugglers.
on June 5th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Hopefully, this will be a start to better roads in the regions leading upto the bridge. Some of the roads I’ve seen in Tajikistan hardly live upto the term.
I’d heard rumors last year in Murghab of a regional grouping (SCO?) planning a road along the southern Pamir border, that would cut through the Afghan Wakhan corridor at Langar to Pakistan. Fanciful, sure, but any news on that, Vadim?
on June 5th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
To me the opening of our landlocked country to Afghanistan will potentially deliver Tajikistan from economic troubles, notwithstanding current instability south of the border. It is very encouraging to know that Tajikistan is making small steps already. Great piece Vadim!
on June 6th, 2007 at 9:34 am
As a resident of Khorog where one bridge was built and as a vistor of the Bazar which take place every Saturday along the border I can say the following:
The bridge between the two country was built to facilitate trade between the countries but for sure today it is not used 100% percent for that purpose. Visiting the bridge I have noticed that there are lot of drug dealers with luxary cars inside of which the dealing takes place. Thise drug dealers are regular visitors of the Bazar than any other customer.
I think to solve this problem Custom Control should be develped and for that we will probably need third party involvement.
on June 6th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Khirad thanks for the spot coverage of the news. It is really sad to hear that.
on June 6th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Seems like the only trade route between China and Tajikistan is not fuctioning as it is desired.
on June 8th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
I think this bridge is the good development for Tajikistan, I am considering this bridge GOOD, not EVIL because we have to look the positive side of bridge. We need good roads and bridges for good trade, and when it will be good trade then it will be good economy.