Trucks getting stuck at the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border prompt questions of responsibility

Numerous trucks are staying stranded along the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border, with drivers attributing the bottleneck to the sudden surge in the cost of truck border crossing permits, as reported by "ASIA Plus".

Truck congestion has notably occurred at the "Fotekhabad'' checkpoint in Tajikistan's Sogd region. A driver at the site highlighted the escalating difficulty and expense of acquiring the necessary documentation since the onset of 2024.

"We're puzzled by the abrupt 100 percent increase in the price of this permit, now at $130. No satisfactory explanation has been provided," the driver lamented.

Another driver underscored the significant challenges posed by such elevated fees.

"For transporting cargo from Khojand to Tashkent, the cargo owner bears a $450 road fee, $220 for unloading in Uzbekistan, and $130 for the permit. Additionally, we incur expenses for the return trip to Tajikistan, which, considering fuel costs, becomes economically unfeasible," elaborated the driver.

The permit, dispatched by Uzbekistan to Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport, is issued to drivers by private service providers.

Meanwhile, Rajabboy Akhmadzoda, the head of the Sogd region, assured that all concerns had been relayed to Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport, with resolution anticipated within days.

"We've engaged various authorities, including the Regional Department of Customs, the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security, regional deputy chairman, and law enforcement department head. Communication has also extended to Abdujabbor Rahmonzoda, Tajikistan's Ambassador to Uzbekistan, facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Subsequently, a commission was convened, addressing issues at the 'Fotekhabad' checkpoint and escalating concerns to the country's Ministry of Transport," Akhmadzoda stated.

He further directed businesses to streamline permit purchases via bank transfers for driver convenience.

"We've identified illicit practices among certain permit-issuing entities, a matter currently under the Ministry of Transport's scrutiny. Additionally, I've reached out to Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzadeh for a comprehensive discussion. I'm confident that the bottleneck at the 'Fotekhabad-Oybek' checkpoint will soon be resolved," affirmed Rajabboy Ahmadzada.