By 2030, there will be no unpaved mahallas in Uzbekistan — Minister
All internal and mahalla roads in Uzbekistan will be put in order by 2030, said Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov. "Even...
All internal and mahalla roads in Uzbekistan will be put in order by 2030, said Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov. "Even if it sounds ambitious, this is a program that we have undertaken jointly with the Ministry of Economy and Finance," he said.
In Uzbekistan, all unpaved internal roads in mahallas will be put in order by 2030. This was announced by the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Makhkamov during the "Government Hour" in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on July 11.
One of the deputies criticized the lack of attention to the condition of local roads. He stressed that residents constantly complain about their unsatisfactory condition, especially in the autumn-winter period.
"We, the deputies, have one problem that seriously worries us. We need to talk about this openly. I did not hear this in your report, although we were waiting. I must admit it honestly. All of us, all the deputies, are interested in the issue of local roads: between villages, villages, intercity roads. You spoke in detail about the roads of national importance, and indeed, the reforms are going well and beautifully in this direction. But there are areas where we come, and there are mahallas that cannot participate in the Open Budget program, they cannot vote," he said.
The parliamentarian also expressed doubt whether the allocated funds would be enough to maintain local roads.
"The report says that roads are transferred to the balance of local khokimiyats. 4 billion soums are allocated to one district, plus funds from additional funds. But have any calculations been carried out? Will this money be enough? People complain: "Our children go to school and kindergarten on dirty roads," he said.
"If we just rely on the local khokimiyats, we won't be able to give people a clear answer tomorrow. And if the people make reasonable claims, then the response should be appropriate," the deputy added.
In response, the Minister of Transport, Ilkhom Makhkamov, admitted that he had not announced data on a program to improve local roads in the report, and said that such a program exists and is already being implemented.
"We have a clear program. Unfortunately, I didn't say it, it's true. Even if they are not formally under our jurisdiction, we determine the general policy on these issues. Although the roads have been transferred to the balance of the khokimiyats, they are allocated funds for the repair of these roads according to the relevant budget parameters. As you said, apart from 4 billion, this is just an example, they have remaining funds, and one of the main areas of their use is just the repair of roads," he said.
The head of the Ministry of Transport said that in five years all unpaved roads in the mahallas will be put in order.
"By 2030, there will not be a single unpaved road in the mahallas and on the internal roads. There is a specific program. To date, we have already converted 70% of unpaved roads — clay, earth — to either gravel or asphalt pavement. We will fully convert the remaining 30% to gravel coating within two years. By 2030, there will not be a single settlement left whose roads cannot be traveled," Ilkhom Makhkamov assured.
"Even if it sounds ambitious, this is a program that we have undertaken jointly with the Ministry of Economy and Finance," he stressed.