DUSHANBE, Aug 2: The Aga Khan will finance the construction of five bridges linking Tajikistan and Afghanistan across the Piandj river, a representative in Dushanbe said on Friday.

The three-year project, “financed with the help of the Aga Khan development network,” will cost 2.5 million dollars, Mirza Jahani said.

The first bridge, 135 metres long and capable of supporting a weight of 15 tons, will link the Tajik village of Khorog to the northeast Afghan province of Badakhshan, he added.

It is due to come into service at the end of October.

Afghanistan and Tajikistan share a frontier of 1,340 kilometres.

An important route is already open between Dushanbe and Kunduz, northeastern Afghanistan, and humanitarian aid also transits from Tajikistan to Afghan territory by crossing the Piandj on barges.—AFP