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The Kamchik Pass is a mountain pass located in the Qurama Mountains of Uzbekistan. It lies between the cities of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, and Namangan, a major city in the Fergana Valley region. The pass serves as a key transportation route connecting these two cities.
- Location: Eastern Uzbekistan, on the border of the Tashkent and Namangan Regions within the Fergana Valley.
- Significance: A strategically important pass on the historic Silk Road, now a vital transport link within Uzbekistan.
- Elevation: 2,268 meters (7,441 ft) above sea level.
- Route: The Tashkent-Osh (A373) international highway goes directly through the pass.
- Traffic: Busy! About 10,000 to 15,000 vehicles traverse the pass daily.
Prior to the construction of the Kamchik Tunnel, the pass was the main route for road traffic between Tashkent and Namangan. However, the pass posed significant challenges, especially during winter months when heavy snowfall and avalanches could block the road, disrupting transportation and causing delays.
The Kamchik Pass has historically been strategically important, serving as a corridor for trade and travel between different regions of Uzbekistan. Its elevation and geographic location make it a critical point for transportation infrastructure in the country.
With the construction of the Kamchik Tunnel, transportation between Tashkent and Namangan has become more reliable and efficient, as the tunnel provides a year-round, all-weather alternative to the pass. However, the pass still retains its significance as part of Uzbekistan’s geographical and historical landscape.
Kamchik tunnel
This tunnel traverses the Kamchik Pass. Before the construction of the tunnel, the Kamchik Pass was prone to closures due to heavy snowfall and avalanches during the winter months, which hindered transportation between Tashkent and Namangan. The tunnel project aimed to overcome these challenges and provide a year-round, all-weather route.
The construction of the Kamchik Tunnel began in 2012 and was completed in 2015. The tunnel is approximately 19.2 kilometers (11.9 miles) long, making it one of the longest tunnels in Central Asia. It consists of two lanes in each direction and is designed to accommodate both passenger and freight traffic.
The completion of the Kamchik Tunnel has significantly improved transportation connectivity between Tashkent and Namangan, reducing travel time and enhancing the reliability of the route, particularly during winter months. It has also facilitated economic development and trade by improving access to markets and resources in the region.
