Illegal Construction Threatens Safety, Kadirov Warns

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Illegal construction and the evasion of urban planning requirements represent a serious threat to public safety, Alisher Kadirov, leader of the Milliy Tiklanish party, stated on 11 August 2026 during a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, according to the legislative body.

Kadirov spoke during discussions on a bill introducing new financial sanctions for severe violations of urban planning regulations. The document proposes collecting 2.2 million soums from companies for each square meter of a structure built in violation of regulations.

The bill was passed in its first reading. However, a number of deputies expressed doubts regarding the proportionality of the proposed sanctions and warned that the additional financial burden on developers could impact housing costs.

Kadirov noted that debates over the bill also took place within the Milliy Tiklanish faction. According to him, party members also voiced objections to increasing fines but ultimately concluded that liability for violations in the construction sector must be strengthened.

"Illegal construction in the city, building anywhere and anyhow, where permission is granted for three floors but 12 are built, has become a very major threat today," Kadirov said.

According to the deputy, inefficient existing regulatory mechanisms and corruption risks are among the root causes of the problem. He pointed out that substantial financial resources circulate in the construction industry, with individual projects valued at up to US$10 million.

"Our current law does not work effectively. And why? Because this sphere has become heavily corrupt. This creates a threat to us," the party leader said.

Kadirov also cited the consequences of devastating earthquakes in Colombia and Türkiye, where he noted multi-story buildings collapsed with people inside.

He emphasized that businesses should not generate profits at the expense of public safety.

"If a developer is able to step over existing laws and put our population in great danger for the sake of profit, if they can build whatever they want, wherever they want, and however they want in the city, who gave developers such a right?" Kadirov declared.

He stated that the proposed liability system should make violating urban planning rules economically disadvantageous at the project planning stage.

"One of the main goals of this law is to ensure that a developer who wants to resolve an issue with money knows in advance that it will lead to losses," the deputy said.

Kadirov noted that while determining new liability measures, the interests of entrepreneurs and the economy must be considered, but citizen safety must remain the top priority.

"We must, of course, care about entrepreneurs, their income, and the economic interests of our country and support them. But our primary task must be the safety of our people, improving their quality of life, and protecting people from such problems," he stated.

Eighty-eight deputies voted in favor of the bill, while 15 voted against it. Among those voting against were six deputies from the Adolat party and seven representatives of the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.

The document is scheduled to be refined ahead of its second reading to incorporate deputy comments.