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Tashkent authorities have launched an interesting project: they have announced a tender for the reconstruction, repair, equipping, maintenance, and operation of the underground pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Amir Temur and Ahmad Donish streets in the Yunusabad district. The project also includes the creation of retail, household services, and other service facilities.
It appears to concern the well-known underpass near the Yunusabad market — one of the busiest areas in the district. The flow of people here is enormous, and opening retail outlets in such a location initially seems like a reasonable and profitable decision. However, an important question arises: will it be safe for pedestrians? To accommodate stores, the width of the crossing will likely have to be reduced.
The history of this underpass has already seen similar attempts: at one time, there were shops here, but they were removed for safety reasons. The narrowing of the underpass caused problems for pedestrians, especially during peak hours. Bringing back retail units could once again cause similar issues. A pedestrian crossing is primarily a safe and convenient place for city residents to move through, not a commercial area. It is essential to carefully consider how the installation of new shops will affect pedestrian comfort and whether it will create potential blockages or other inconveniences.
The project’s cost exceeds 2.4 billion sums and will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP). The winning company will be given the right to manage the underpass for 10 years. As part of the project, light structures will be built for retail outlets and household service points with a total area of 350 square meters. Additional advertising structures will also be installed, providing extra income for the company.
Tashkent city authorities will accept proposals from interested entrepreneurs until November 8. However, the crucial question remains: will it be possible to balance commercial benefits with ensuring safety and convenience for the city’s residents?
The article may contain inaccuracies as it is translated by AI. For more details, please refer to the Russian version of the article. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can send corrections via the Telegram bot: Uzvaibik_bot.