Children on the road, not on the sidewalk: Shaykhantakhur district administration promised "in 20 days"
Parents who bring their children to State Kindergarten No. 21 in the Shaykhantakhur district of Tashkent have been left without a pedestrian sidewalk for several years. They are forced to take their children across the road where cars drive. One of the parents stated that her son was hit by a car. After the buildings in the area were demolished and the plot was enclosed with a metal fence, the previously existing pedestrian sidewalk was blocked off.
Children on the roadway, not the sidewalk: Shaykhontohur khokimiyat promises "in 20 days"
There is no separate pedestrian sidewalk in front of Preschool Education Organization (DMTT) No. 21 on Sebzor Street. Parents report that they are forced to walk on the roadway when bringing their children to and taking them from the kindergarten.
According to residents, the previously existing sidewalk was closed after buildings in the area were demolished and the site was enclosed with an iron fence. The problem has been going on for several years. In addition to the kindergarten, there are also schools and a higher education institution located here. Therefore, the lack of a sidewalk causes difficulties not only for families coming to the kindergarten, but also for other pedestrians.
"Of course it's dangerous. But where am I supposed to walk? If there's no sidewalk, I'm forced to walk here. There's no other way," says a local resident.
"My children are playful, I'm afraid they'll run off. After it rains, it turns into mud here. It's very difficult to take three children across at the same time. Some drivers speed past, they don't look whether there's a child or a stroller. If there were a sidewalk here, I would walk safely with my children," says one of the mothers bringing her children to the kindergarten.
"My older son was also hit by a car. He was riding a bicycle when a car hit him from behind. Many children walk here, but there is no sidewalk for pedestrians. Every day when I take my children across, I am worried," says one of the local parents.
"To take the children to the speech therapist or sports club, we need to cross to the other side of the street. Even to reach the traffic light, we have to go out of our way, and there is no sidewalk up to that point. It would be good if a pedestrian walkway and a safe crossing were created here," says one of the interviewees.
The fact is, the area that caused the closure of the sidewalk here belongs to "REAL QURILISH BUILDING" LLC. Although construction work has not started, the area is enclosed with an iron fence. As a result, the previously existing sidewalk was closed, forcing kindergarten children, schoolchildren, and students to walk on the roadway. This information was also noted in the response of the Inspection for Control in the Field of Construction and Housing and Communal Services to a citizen's appeal.
The deputy khokim was involved in the process, and the situation in the area was inspected.
Deputy Khokim Rasul Kuchkarov stated that the problem is related to the construction work and the fencing off of the area. According to him, there is a halted embassy construction site here. The khokimiyat representative stated that it is planned to create a temporary sidewalk for pedestrians by pushing back the barriers and clearing the area.
"We can provide a solution. Right now, here we have an embassy whose construction has been halted; by pushing back the fences in front of it and clearing the space, we will build a standard-sized sidewalk, even if temporary, to ease the situation for citizens. This will take about 15–20 days. There is preparatory work to do. Even if temporary, there will be a path where people can walk safely in snow and rain," said Rasul Kuchkarov.
The deputy khokim also noted that the area is a renovation zone and said efforts would be made to create a walkway for the population by opening and pushing back the barriers. Regarding the appeals, Rasul Kuchkarov stated that no official appeal had been received regarding this issue.
Curiously, local residents say they have submitted appeals twice regarding this matter. Moreover, they have a written response sent precisely in the name of the deputy khokim. The khokimiyat representative stated that a temporary, standard-sized sidewalk would be created within 15–20 days and public safety would be ensured. Now the main issue is whether the promised work will be carried out within the specified timeframe.