The key facts

  • 900 billion soums have been allocated for road repairs in Bukhara region in 2026, but 2,000 km of roads and 266 bridges require repair
  • Instructed to study the possibility of toll roads between tourist sites and attract private investment
  • 80% of residents use personal vehicles due to weak public transport; the region is to receive 120 buses

Meeting on the development of Bukhara region

On November 4, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the comprehensive development of Bukhara region, devoted to roads, public transport and infrastructure, reports Spot.uz. Since the beginning of the year, 900 billion soums have been allocated to improving the region's roads; however, as noted at the meeting, problems of traffic congestion, road safety and public transport operation require a systemic solution.

Toll roads and private investment

The region has 2,000 km of internal roads and 266 bridges in need of repair. The president pointed to the need to attract private investment in the renewal of roads and bridges, and also instructed to study the possibility of building alternative toll roads connecting the main tourist destinations. This is linked to plans to develop tourism: Spot previously wrote that the number of foreign tourists visiting Bukhara is planned to be raised to 7 million.

Transport, water and improvement

Due to insufficiently developed public transport, 80% of the region's residents travel to work, study and run daily errands in their own cars. Officials were instructed to accelerate the delivery of 120 buses to the region, as well as to improve the quality of services at the airport and railway stations of Bukhara — according to the president, it is there that tourists form their first impression of the region. The population of 55 mahallas still lacks centralized drinking water supply; officials were instructed to set exact deadlines for launching water pipelines and to accelerate the construction of residential areas. For landscaping roadsides, a unified approach was ordered, selecting tree species suited to Bukhara's climate and the city's historic appearance.

Context on toll roads in the country

The Bukhara instruction fits into a broader agenda for developing toll roads in Uzbekistan: as Spot previously reported, construction of the Tashkent — Andijan toll highway is planned to begin in 2027. No information was given at the meeting about the timeline for implementing toll roads in Bukhara region or potential investors — the instruction was limited to studying the possibilities.