Mirziyoyev: I personally got stuck in a traffic jam for 20 Minutes

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that last week, he got behind the wheel and experienced a traffic jam. He made this statement today, July 9, during a videoconference meeting dedicated to ensuring road safety and reducing traffic congestion.

“Both guests and our citizens evaluate the state of the country’s economy by looking at its roads. Last Saturday and Sunday, I drove myself. No one knew who was driving on those roads. But I also got stuck in a traffic jam for 15–20 minutes. We moved slowly, in a queue,” the President said.

The Head of State noted that being stuck in traffic at night can affect the mood of people returning home.

He also highlighted public dissatisfaction with the closure of streets near certain ministries, departments, and administrative buildings of khokimiyats. In addition, he criticized the use of already congested roads as “parking lots,” where employees park in two or three rows, worsening the situation.

Following the President’s instructions, a survey was conducted among 15,000 drivers. Respondents stated that due to a lack of legal parking spaces in both the capital and other major cities, they are often forced to park on roadsides.

“In general, no one listens to the grievances of ordinary drivers; there is no communication platform,” the President emphasized.

Authorities have been instructed to remove unjustified prohibitory signs in all institutions and residential neighborhoods.

The President also ordered the installation of photo and video surveillance cameras in locations where employees of ministries and departments cause inconvenience to the public by occupying roads for parking. These measures aim to ensure the inevitability of punishment.

It was further noted that civil servants must lead by example in using public transportation. Official vehicles used by leaders who are not included in the government-approved list will no longer be granted road priority.