All village roads in Uzbekistan to be paved by 2030 – Transport Minister

By 2030, there will be no unpaved roads in villages and hamlets across Uzbekistan. This was announced by Minister of Transport Ilhom Mahkamov in response to a parliamentary inquiry during the regular government hour held in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on July 11.

During the session, Anvarkhon Temirov, a member of the People’s Democratic Party faction, raised concerns over the deteriorating state of internal roads during the autumn-winter season. He noted a seasonal rise in public complaints about muddy and dusty roads, emphasizing that such appeals are valid. Temirov asked the minister to elaborate on the work being carried out to address the issue.

The deputy also pointed out that the responsibility for internal roads is increasingly being transferred to local government and inquired how this transition would affect road conditions.

In response, Minister Mahkamov clarified that all local roads fall under the jurisdiction of the Roads Committee, which has a structured program for maintaining internal roads in villages and hamlets.

Temirov further questioned whether an allocation of 4 billion soums from local government would be sufficient for road repairs.

“We will pursue a unified national policy, even if certain roads are not under our direct jurisdiction,” Mahkamov stated. “When it comes to roads managed by local government, repair funding is provided under a separate budget line. In addition to the funds allocated by khokimiyats, the remaining budget balances will also primarily be directed toward road repairs.”

Mahkamov emphasized that Uzbekistan aims to eliminate unpaved roads in rural areas by 2030.

“By 2030, there will be no unpaved roads,” he said. “We have a clear roadmap: 70 percent of dirt roads have already been converted—some to gravel, some to asphalt. The remaining 30 percent will be upgraded to gravel within the next two years. By 2030, there will be no impassable residential areas. This initiative, though ambitious, is being implemented jointly with the Ministry of Finance and Economy.”

It is worth recalling that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev previously noted during a videoconference on road safety and traffic congestion that improvements occur when governors and the Highways Department work together seriously on infrastructure development.