The Tajik Transport Ministry has completed a route that permits communication by road between southern and northern Tajikistan in winter when the usual route over the Anzob Pass is closed by snow. Instead of using roads in Uzbekistan as was previously necessary, the new route crosses part of Kyrgyzstan\'s Osh Oblast. The new route will allow Tajik truckers and passenger-bus firms to avoid the type of problems with Uzbek border guards and customs officials that were recently reported by trucking firms in the west Tajik town of Pendzhikent. (Asia Plus-Blitz)