Translated with AI
In the conditions of persistent heat established in the territory of Tajikistan, the Ministry of Transport of the country is tightening control over the condition of motorways. As stated by the Minister of Transport of Tajikistan Azim Ibrokhim, high air temperature accelerates the destruction of the road surface, and therefore requires prompt and systematic measures from all structures of the industry. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic.
The meeting was attended by deputy ministers, heads of structural divisions of the ministry, as well as representatives of subordinate institutions. In his speech, the head of the Ministry of Transport noted that the consequences of global warming, including extremely hot weather, negatively affect the road infrastructure, causing premature destruction of the pavement, deformations and increased maintenance costs.
"Unfortunately, some sections of our roads fall into disrepair very quickly," noted Azim Ibrokhim. "This is due to both climatic factors and the quality of the work being done. In these conditions, the quality of design, construction and repair of roads comes to the fore," the minister emphasized.
He recalled that, according to current regulations, the warranty period for the top layer of road surfaces is from 2 to 8 years, depending on traffic intensity; however, practice shows that some sections are destroyed much earlier, which causes justified concern among citizens and requires increased attention from responsible agencies.
In order to increase the resilience of road infrastructure to climate change, the Minister gave a number of specific instructions:
The State Service for Supervision and Regulation in the Sphere of Transport has been instructed to strengthen weight and dimension control, especially during the period of seasonal restrictions. In particular, it was emphasized that the movement of heavy vehicles carrying more than 40 tons on public roads is strictly prohibited on hot days.
The centers for the implementation of road construction and reconstruction projects are instructed to:
– strictly comply with building codes and technical regulations,
– ensure a complete supply of high-quality equipment, materials and structures,
– use high-quality bitumen and heat-resistant asphalt mixtures,
– use modern technologies and additives that reduce the risk of overheating of the road surface,
– take into account environmental and climatic features during design and construction.
State institutions responsible for the maintenance of highways are instructed to:
– organize year-round monitoring of road conditions, including regular and unscheduled inspections,
– carry out timely minor repairs and eliminate defects,
– ensure safe driving conditions, especially during hot periods,
– prepare for the autumn-winter period of 2025–2026 by forming stocks of materials and equipment in advance.
The Minister also recalled that climate change and global warming have been affecting life around the world for several years now. According to forecasts from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), new temperature records will be set in the world, and especially in Central Asia, over the next five years, which requires increased climate adaptation in all sectors of the economy, including transport.
"The durability of the road surface directly depends on our responsibility, on compliance with technologies and the quality of the materials used. Trying to save money today, we risk incurring much greater expenses tomorrow," emphasized Azim Ibrohim.
The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Tajikistan plans to conduct comprehensive inspections of road quality in the coming months and strengthen discipline during the acceptance and commissioning of facilities.
