No sidewalk in front of a kindergarten on Sebzor Street in Tashkent: Shaykhantahur authorities promised a temporary sidewalk within 15–20 days

Parents walk their children along the roadway

There is no separate pedestrian walkway in front of kindergarten No. 21 on Sebzor Street in the Shaykhantahur district of Tashkent. According to parents, when taking their children to the kindergarten they have to walk along the road where cars are driving. According to residents, the pedestrian walkway that previously existed was closed after the buildings on the site were demolished and the plot was fenced off with a metal fence. The problem has been going on for several years, Kun.uz reports.

Whom the lack of a crossing inconveniences

In addition to the kindergarten, there are schools and a higher education institution here, so the lack of a walkway creates difficulties not only for families with preschoolers but also for other pedestrians. Residents describe daily risks: one of the mothers said she is afraid that children might break free and run off, that after rain the place turns into mud, and that some drivers pass quickly without paying attention to children and strollers. Another parent reported that his elder son was hit by a car while riding his bicycle. Another interviewee noted that to get to a speech therapist or a sports club, one has to cross to the other side of the street, and to reach the traffic light one must take a detour — also without a sidewalk.

The cause — the fenced-off construction site

The plot because of which the pedestrian walkway was closed belongs to the company 'REAL QURILISH BUILDING'. Construction work has not begun, but the site is fenced off. These data are also confirmed in the response of the Inspection for Control in the Field of Construction and Housing and Communal Services to a citizen's appeal. As a result, children from the kindergarten, schoolchildren and students are forced to walk along the road with vehicular traffic.

The authorities promised a temporary sidewalk

Kun.uz examined the problem on site and contacted the Shaykhantahur district administration; the deputy mayor Rasul Kuchkarov was involved in the process and inspected the territory. He explained that the problem is related to the construction and the fence: a frozen embassy building is located here. According to him, it is planned to move the fences and clear the territory in order to arrange a temporary walkway for pedestrians. 'We can make a decision. Right now we have a frozen embassy building; we will move and clear the fences in front of it and make a sidewalk of standard size to temporarily ease the movement of citizens. This will take 15–20 days. There are preparatory works. Although it is temporary, there will be a walkway along which people will be able to walk safely in rain and snow,' said Rasul Kuchkarov. He also noted that the territory is a redevelopment site and that no official complaints about this problem had been received from citizens.

Contradiction with residents and what comes next

At the same time, according to the publication, residents claim that they had appealed on this issue twice, and they have in hand a reply letter, allegedly sent on behalf of the deputy mayor, which reported that a temporary sidewalk of standard size would be arranged within 15–20 days and public safety would be ensured. The publication does not resolve the discrepancy between the official's statement about the absence of official appeals and the residents' words: it is impossible to verify who exactly sent the letters based on the published materials. Now the key question is whether the promised works will be completed within the stated timeframe.

Why this matters

The situation affects hundreds of people daily — children, parents, schoolchildren and students who, because of the fence around the frozen construction site, are forced to take risks on the roadway, which is also confirmed by the case of the cyclist who was hit. The practical consequence is the authorities' promise to move the fences and set up a temporary sidewalk of standard size within 15–20 days; the safety of pedestrians near the kindergarten and schools directly depends on meeting this deadline.