Gazeta correspondent Otabek Turdiyev shadowed Tashkent Mayor Shavkat Umurzakov for a day, capturing his work routine and securing an exclusive interview. On May 16, the mayor visited several neighborhoods in the Olmazor district.
At 8:30 AM, Umurzakov arrived at a 5.6-hectare green area opposite G‘alaba Bog‘i (Victory Park). Removing his jacket, he put on a green vest, fertilized a tree, and watered it. He reviewed a greening program that plans to plant 450 more trees on the site.
Addressing residents, the mayor said: “We will create a one-hectare lake here. It will be a recreation area. Tomorrow our children will play and laugh.” However, the crowd offered no suggestions.
When asked about his feelings on tree cutting, Umurzakov replied: “If a tree is not diseased and is cut unnecessarily, my view is negative. But if it’s a diseased tree or for a project benefiting the people, one tree shouldn’t be put on the scales.”
The next stop was the construction of a park along the Damariq canal. The mayor noted that Tashkent has 300 km of waterfronts, previously unused or privately occupied. He also mentioned a new system to park cars outside neighborhoods.
Umurzakov admitted he has little time for family: “Work starts at 6-7 AM, and suddenly it’s 11-12. On weekends, I try to have dinner with my family in central streets to spot shortcomings.”
Reflecting on his tenure, he said: “Previously, a mayor couldn’t earn money and act independently without relying on the budget. We changed that. Now each district has its own business plan.”
At Turin Polytechnic Institute, the mayor met with hundreds of residents. An elderly man complained about nighttime trucks. Umurzakov responded that an immediate ban isn’t possible; a solution must be found first.
The mayor said he is learning to interact with media and bloggers, and if a project is criticized, he looks for fault in himself. He learns about problems from Telegram channels and forwards messages to subordinates.
Asked why minor issues reach the president, Umurzakov said: “The increase in appeals shows people’s trust. That they reach the president is because he wants it.”
Concluding the interview, the mayor stated: “If people say I’m a good father or grandfather, that’s a big achievement. Even if they don’t curse me, it’s a success in this position.”
Source: www.gazeta.uz