DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, February 13. In the Tajikistan capital of Dushanbe, plans are underway to construct a light metro system by 2026, Tajikistan's Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrohim, told journalists, Trend reports.
He noted that preparatory work is currently ongoing, including hydrogeological and geological surveys to determine the optimal location and format—whether it will be an above-ground light rail or an underground metro system.
In August 2023, Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport and the Export-Import Bank of South Korea (Korea Eximbank) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for financing the preliminary study and feasibility assessment of the Dushanbe light metro construction project. The Korea Eximbank will provide $200,000 for these initial activities.
Representatives of the bank have agreed to finance not only the preliminary survey work but also the detailed project development.
Additionally, on March 14, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport and South Korea's National Railway Company for the metro construction project. The South Korean company will be responsible for conducting preliminary survey work.
The proposed metro system in Dushanbe is envisioned to be an above-ground light rail transit (LRT) system. The determination of the metro routes is being undertaken by a joint working group comprised of the Ministry of Transport and the city administration. Initially, a 10.5-kilometer line is planned for construction.
If realized, the Dushanbe metro would be the third in Central Asia, following those in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Almaty, Kazakhstan. There are also plans for constructing a metro system in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.