Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 18 February 2022, a regular meeting of the Parliamentary Commission for monitoring the implementation of the National goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period up to 2030 was held. The meeting, which was held in the form of videoconferencing, was chaired by the Chairman of the Senate T.Narbayeva.

The session reviewed the status of work carried out under Target 11.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure by 2030 access for all to safe, affordable, accessible and environmentally sustainable transport systems based on improved road safety.

In particular, in order to reduce environmental pollution and provide access to environmentally sustainable vehicles in the country, the excise tax on the import of electric vehicles has been canceled and a zero rate of customs duties has been established. As a result, a total of 1,594 electric vehicles have been imported over the past four years, about 90 percent of which (1,411) were imported in 2021 alone.

In order to ensure free and safe movement of the population, the network of the Tashkent metro was expanded, 2 new stations of Yunusabad direction, 7 of the Kuylyuk direction, 5 of the Sergeli direction were built and put into operation.

A total of 1,584 cameras have been installed on the roads of the republic to control traffic, including 1,154 surveillance cameras and 430 cameras for recording traffic violations.

Along with the ongoing work, the observed systemic problems were also discussed at the meeting.

The very poorly organized provision of public transport (buses) to the regions, the unsuitability of vehicles and road infrastructure for people with disabilities, cases of illegal installation of compressed natural gas cylinders on vehicles and their untimely technical inspection, as well as an increase in the number of roads from year to year - transport accidents.

There were 10,001 road traffic accidents in 2021, 43% more than in 2020, and the proportion of people injured as a result of such accidents increased by 40% and the number of deaths by 24%.

The reason for the discussion of the members of the Parliamentary Commission was the lack of attention to the work to promote the use of bicycles as a means of everyday transport, which will significantly improve the transport, economic, social and environmental conditions of the region, the start-up of work on the construction of special bicycle paths, and on 12 streets of Tashkent only 77 km of bike paths.

During the meeting, the reports of the Minister of Transport I. Makhkamov, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs B. Abdullayev were heard, and the heads of the relevant ministries and departments gave explanations regarding the existing problems in this area.

At the meeting, members of the Parliamentary Commission made a proposal on the need to leave cars in free or reduced parking at public transport stops and develop a public transport system on the rest of the road (Park and Ride) in order to reduce traffic jams in the city center.

In addition, instructions were given to develop a concept for the development of public transport in the regions, draft regulations that ensure free access to social facilities, transport and engineering infrastructure for people with disabilities and people with limited mobility.

At the end of the meeting, taking into account the opinions and proposals expressed by the members of the Parliamentary Commission, the relevant decision of the Parliamentary Commission was adopted.