President criticizes Transport Minister for indifference to regional problems

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has sharply criticized Transport Minister Ilhom Makhkamov and Uzbekistan Railways Chairman Zufar Narzullayev for their inaction and indifference toward addressing pressing infrastructure issues. The remarks came during a videoconference meeting on June 16, which focused on evaluating the effectiveness of ongoing reforms, regional progress, and solutions to public concerns.

The President reviewed the shortcomings in the work of various ministries and regional administrations, pointing out inefficiencies in coordination and decision-making. He noted that in every district, more than 40 government organizations operate with around 500 staff members. Each has a local office and leadership presence, yet many basic issues remain unresolved because decisions must be approved at the regional or even national level.

As an example, he cited the town of Kumkurgan, where a railway barrier that closes up to 20 times a day causes heavy traffic congestion for nearly 8,000 vehicles. Moving the barrier just 200 meters could solve the problem, but neither the district nor regional administration has the authority to make that decision—approval must come from Uzbekistan Railways.

Similarly, Mirziyoyev criticized the lack of electrification on part of the Termez–Sariosiyo railway line. Currently, diesel locomotives take three hours to complete a journey that electric trains could finish in just one and a half hours, prompting most travelers to use cars instead. He noted that if the line were electrified in full, it could safely connect 10 districts to Termez.

“Despite the importance of this project, the Minister of Transport and the head of Uzbekistan Railways have shown complete indifference,” the President said.

He also addressed other bureaucratic inefficiencies, highlighting how only 10% of funds from water and sewage services remain in districts. Due to shortages of materials, issues that could be resolved within hours often take four to five days.

“District organizations act like ‘supervisors,’ but they do not provide any services that actually ease the lives of citizens,” he remarked.

The President further criticized local agencies for their lack of initiative. In Kumkurgan, for example, eight inspectors in the quarantine department were reported to be focused solely on issuing certificates for export, without offering essential services such as fumigation.

The district ecology departments were also reprimanded for merely monitoring tree cutting, while failing to make recommendations on what types of trees to plant or how to finance reforestation efforts under the “Green Space” program.