A severe infrastructure challenge is unfolding in Uzbekistan's residential sector, where a massive number of elevators have officially surpassed their designated service period. During a governmental hour at the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Minister of Construction and Housing Communal Services Sherzod Khidoyatov revealed that a staggering 4,973 elevators across the country have completely exhausted their operational lifespan.

The announcement follows persistent complaints from residents of multi-apartment buildings—particularly elderly citizens and individuals with disabilities—who routinely face sudden elevator failures and dangerous entrapments inside cabins. Lawmaker Zokirjon Zohidov questioned why structural problems persist despite the implementation of digital oversight, pressing authorities for concrete figures and strict modernization timelines.

In his defense, Minister Khidoyatov attributed the breakdowns to inadequate technical maintenance and delayed preventive servicing by specialized entities. To mitigate the crisis incrementally, authorities report that 3,274 elevators were replaced and 71 repaired using state budget funds between 2021 and 2026. Furthermore, a broader initiative aims to overhaul an additional 4,953 elevators by the year 2030.

The ministry has established an electronic database tracking nearly 20,000 elevators nationwide, complemented by the 'Safe Elevator' cross-agency digital platform launched to monitor remote safety compliance. Under updated regulatory frameworks, elevators must undergo mandatory annual technical inspections categorized by risk levels, and new residential blocks will be barred from exploitation unless fully integrated into the official oversight network.

Source: www.gazeta.uz