President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at a meeting on September 11, ordered the preparation of a four-year program to improve 400 mahallas (neighborhoods) in Tashkent, modeled after the "Qichqiriq" mahalla in Almazar district. A total of 10 trillion soums is planned to be allocated for this purpose, the head of state announced.
According to him, in current conditions it is necessary to make fuller use of the potential of each district and mahalla, increase investment, added value, and the number of high-income jobs. "Each district hokim (governor) must create at least two large shopping complexes or malls in their territory that will attract people and tourists like a magnet," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in a report by the "Uzbekistan 24" TV channel.
He instructed Tashkent city hokim Shavkat Umurzakov and hokims of 12 districts to identify specific sites, investors, and funding sources by October 1. "Tashkent must be an example for everyone — in all spheres," the president said. Mirziyoyev specifically noted the changes in Almazar district. According to him, since the beginning of the year, about 1,000 new entrepreneurs have appeared here, bringing their total number to nearly 12,000. "If district hokim Kudratilla Tulaganoz talks to 50-60 entrepreneurs every day, business will expand, and the unemployed will be able to earn income," he said.
Following the president's instructions, nine streets in the district were improved and, according to the head of state's assessment, became more attractive for business, residents, and tourists. Mirziyoyev also spoke about his visit to the "Qichqiriq" mahalla. "Previously, if residents wanted to go out for a walk after work, there were essentially no normal pedestrian paths, everything was dark. Especially the area along the river was neglected. Due to poor sanitary and ecological conditions, entrepreneurs were not interested in opening a business here," the president said. In a short time, a 450-seat kindergarten, sports grounds, a park, an amphitheater, pedestrian paths, and fountains were built in the mahalla. "Today I saw for myself how much the mood and quality of life of the 5,500 residents of this mahalla have changed," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The hokim of Almazar district planned to transform three more streets by the end of the year, but the president called this figure insufficient. "This is very little. The question arises: if these streets are liked by residents, entrepreneurs, and tourists, why should we wait for the next years to transform another eight streets?" he said. Mirziyoyev instructed to start work the next day on Talabalar, Chinboy, Ozod, Qorasaroy, Nurafshon, Sogbon, Oltinsoy, and Gulsaroy streets in Almazar district. In addition, similar work should begin on at least five to six streets in each of the remaining 11 districts of Tashkent.
According to the president, funding issues for 100 streets proposed by district hokims have already been resolved and a corresponding decision has been made. "[First Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Ilhom] Norqulov must open financing no later than tomorrow. District hokims should not wait — they need to move to practical work together with entrepreneurs as quickly as possible," the head of state said. Shavkat Mirziyoyev also instructed to approve a four-year program for the improvement of 400 mahallas based on the "Qichqiriq" model within a week. "We will allocate 10 trillion soums for this," the president said.
Source: www.gazeta.uz