In Uzbekistan, 628 gas stations do not meet the requirements for a safe distance to residential buildings

In Uzbekistan, 628 gas stations fail to meet the requirement for a safe distance from residential buildings

In Uzbekistan, 628 gas stations were identified that do not comply with the rule regarding a minimum distance of 125 meters between hazardous cargo unloading sites and residential buildings. When finalizing the bill on industrial safety, deputies removed a separate sanction for violating this requirement, pointing to corruption risks and the likelihood of gas stations suspending their operations.

During the second reading, parliamentarians considered a bill to improve the industrial safety system, which had previously been approved in the first reading on October 13.

As Zayniev reported, during preparations for the second reading, a provision establishing separate administrative liability for failure to observe a safe distance during the loading and unloading of hazardous cargo was excluded from the draft.

"This provision was not specific enough: it did not clarify what exact distances were being referred to and who should bear responsibility," the deputy explained.

He recalled that according to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 35 of February 16, 2011, sites for loading, unloading, and reloading hazardous cargo must be located no closer than 125 meters from residential buildings. "However, in practice, 628 fuel filling stations were identified that do not comply with this requirement," Zayniev reported.

According to him, retaining the proposed provision could lead to fines with every delivery of fuel to such facilities.

"If this provision is retained, gas stations could be fined every time fuel is drained from a tank truck. This creates corruption risks and may lead to the suspension of station operations," the deputy stated.

Zayniev emphasized that excluding the separate clause does not mean waiving liability for violating safety requirements.

"At the same time, violation of safe distance requirements will not go unpunished. Such cases are covered by the general provision on liability for violating the rules for loading and unloading hazardous cargo. Liability will be applied not automatically, but taking into account the actual circumstances," he noted.

The meeting did not specify in which regions the 628 gas stations are located, what types of fuel they sell, how many of them continue to operate, or how long ago the violations were identified.

The minimum distance to major roads is 50 meters. Vehicles awaiting loading or unloading must be located no closer than 25 meters from the corresponding sites.

At the same time, the standard applies specifically to locations where operations with hazardous cargo are conducted.

Farkhod Zayniev also reported that the phased relocation of gas stations that do not meet safety requirements is provided for by a separate government resolution.

By this document, the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, the khokimiyats of the regions, and Tashkent, together with relevant ministries and agencies, were instructed to form a register by September 1 of gas stations that pose a threat to human life and health or fail to meet public, fire, industrial, environmental safety requirements, and urban planning standards.

Based on this list, the authorities must develop measures for the phased relocation of such facilities to safe zones.

The resolution also provides that upon the relocation of a gas station, the rights to the former land plot remain with the entrepreneur. For compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations relocated to safe places, an exception is provided allowing them to obtain technical specifications for connecting to gas networks.

Funding for relevant measures was instructed to be included in regional social and industrial infrastructure development programs for subsequent years.

The need to strengthen control over gas station safety was previously explained by the results of a nationwide inventory.

According to a government resolution dated June 18, inspections covered 6,196 facilities, including stations selling gasoline, diesel fuel, liquefied and compressed gas, as well as facilities for filling household gas cylinders.

A total of 46,737 violations and deficiencies were identified, including:

During the inspections, 7,166 deficiencies were eliminated on the spot, while the operations of 464 gas stations were temporarily suspended.

According to the same resolution, starting September 1, 2026, the authorities must begin the gradual restriction of the operation of equipment operating under excess pressure if its established service life has expired or the manufacturing date is unknown. Completion of these measures is planned by January 1, 2030.

In addition, starting January 1, 2027, the suspension of operations is provided for gas stations operating hazardous production facilities without specialists holding the necessary certificates and permits. After eliminating the violations, operations should resume automatically in accordance with the established procedure.

The topic of gas station safety has been raised repeatedly following major incidents.

In particular, on July 16, 2025, an explosion and fire occurred at a gas filling station in the Kukdala district of the Kashkadarya region.

Initially, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported four deaths. Later, on October 13, 2026, First Deputy Minister of Justice Mahmud Istamov, citing court documents, reported that 9 people died and another 20 were injured as a result of the tragedy.

According to him, media reports about the incident noted non-compliance with safe distances, the absence of necessary protective equipment, and the possible falsification of documents on technical inspections.

To prevent such incidents, the bill on industrial safety provides for criminal liability for violations resulting in harm to human life and health, an increase in administrative fines, and separate liability for experts who issue knowingly false conclusions.

During the preparation of the document for its second reading, provision was also made for the possibility of exemption from criminal liability upon reconciliation with the victim, admission of guilt, and compensation for damages, provided that the violation led to moderate or severe harm to health. In cases involving loss of life, no such option is provided.

On October 20, the Legislative Chamber approved the bill in its second and third readings.