A tourism center in Bukhara will be built with the consent of the people and UNESCO – Minister of Construction

Earlier, we reported about a number of athletes and coaches who appealed to the President through social networks, complaining about the destruction of the Bukhara Central Stadium.

People protested following the demolition of all buildings and structures around Ibrahim Mominov and Mustaqililik Streets in order to build a tourism center in Bukhara in 2023.  Among them is a large sports complex that was recently renovated.

The proposed place for the construction of the “Tourism Town” corresponded to the territory of the historical center of Bukhara.  Therefore, the representative office of UNESCO in Uzbekistan did not support the proposal.  Projects planned to be built in such historical zones must be agreed with the Cultural Heritage Agency and UNESCO.

Today 14 January, a press conference was held in the city of Bukhara on the issues of establishing a “Tourism Town.”  In it, Minister of Construction Botir Zakirov informed that all the buildings on the construction site are being inventoried, and the entrepreneurs participating in the lot will pay for the damages themselves.

The minister also emphasized that not a single nail will be hammered without the permission of UNESCO.  In addition, it was said that this work will be carried out together with UNESCO, and no building will be demolished without the organization’s permission.  It was reported that at least one year will be needed for this.

“Currently, road works are being carried out at the place where the center falls.  That is, according to the rules, information is collected about how many buildings are there and who owns them.  If the building and structures located at the site of the center are demolished or moved to another place, the business entity that won the project competition will build a place instead or pay compensation in accordance with the established procedure.  It will take at least two years for the project and construction work,” says Botir Zokirov.

 Also, the construction of the town was entrusted only to “Enter Engineering” company.  Explaining the reason for this, the minister noted that this company “presented itself well” in the construction of the tourism center and the Imam al-Bukhari complex in Samarkand.

 “The center’s project proposal will be submitted to the public for discussion.  A special presentation will be given to the residents of Bukhara.  At the moment, studies are being conducted.  This does not mean that the destruction will start soon, the last point has not yet been put.  There is still a stage of agreement on the project with UNESCO,” said the minister.