ADB Approves $86.67 M Grant to Develop Tajikistan's Climate-Resilient Green Corridor

The new road design will include dedicated cycleways and sidewalks to accommodate women with children and people with disabilities.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an $86.67 million grant to support Tajikistan's efforts to enhance national road connectivity by developing its first green corridor. This project will upgrade the Dangara–Guliston road, a 49-kilometer route originally built in the 1930s and reconstructed in the 1970s, transforming it from two lanes to a four-lane highway using green road design principles that focus on climate resilience, safety, and accessibility.

The Dangara–Guliston road will be the first in Tajikistan to incorporate ADB’s Green Roads Toolkit, which introduces sustainable construction methods aimed at reducing pollution, protecting biodiversity, and improving climate resilience. The upgraded road will also strengthen disaster preparedness in the region and enhance the quality of life for residents living nearby.

The new road design will include dedicated cycleways and sidewalks to accommodate women with children and people with disabilities. It will also feature improved lighting and well-marked crossings for pedestrian safety, with the locations and features determined through a community co-design process. Additionally, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations will be piloted along the route to promote the growth of green transport, with an investment framework in place to encourage further private sector involvement in national EV infrastructure.

The project goes beyond transportation by incorporating livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities for local communities. Women living in the surrounding areas will receive training on starting small businesses, and entrepreneurship grants will be awarded to selected participants. Public transport facilities will also cater to people with disabilities and include amenities such as special toilets and changing facilities for travelling mothers and children.

Co-Financing and Support

The project will receive $23 million in counterpart funding from the Government of Tajikistan, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is expected to contribute an additional $40 million through a co-financing loan, pending approval in early 2025. The project is scheduled for completion in 2030, with the Ministry of Transport acting as the executing agency.

Green Roads Toolkit

Developed in collaboration with the International Road Federation and MetaMeta Research, ADB’s Green Roads Toolkit guides road planning, construction, and maintenance, ensuring that these processes align with environmentally sustainable practices. The toolkit emphasizes balancing economic, social, and environmental objectives while ensuring roads across Asia and the Pacific become greener and more climate-resilient.

Since Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, the organization has provided over $2.7 billion in support across various sectors, including energy, health, education, urban development, and public sector management, with $2.2 billion allocated as grants. This green corridor project represents the latest step in ADB’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in Tajikistan and across the region.