Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – A presidential resolution “On Additional Measures to Create a Favorable and Unimpeded Environment for People with Disabilities” has been adopted.

According to the resolution, starting from 1 October 2024:

- The technical section of urban planning documentation for projects undergoing reconstruction and renovation will be subject to mandatory review to ensure compliance with requirements for creating conditions for people with disabilities, as specified in urban planning norms and regulations.

- Annually, at least 10 percent of the funds from the Republican Fund "Safe Road and Safe Pedestrian" will be allocated for the construction, repair, and equipping of facilities to create a safe and unimpeded environment for people with disabilities (pedestrians) at intersections.

From 1 January 2025, obtaining a license for these types of activities will require a conclusion from the Construction and Housing-Communal Services Control Inspectorate regarding the creation of an unimpeded environment for people with disabilities at the facility, in accordance with the requirements defined in urban planning norms and regulations.

According to the resolution, local executive authorities will:

- Annually, by 1 November, develop a project to adapt at least one street in their territory to the needs of people with disabilities for the following year, and carry out construction, repair, and equipping works;

- By 1 December 2024, adapt streets to ensure a favorable and unimpeded movement for people with disabilities in accordance with a list defined based on urban planning norms and regulations.

By 1 January 2026, an information system called "Interactive Map" will be launched, providing the ability to locate facilities that have created an unimpeded environment for the movement of people with disabilities, covering all regions of the republic.

Starting from 1 October 2024, tenders for bus passenger transportation routes within Tashkent City and international bus passenger transportation will include only those bidders with buses equipped with facilities ensuring an unimpeded environment for people with disabilities. From 1 January 2025, this requirement will extend to bus passenger transportation routes in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as interregional, suburban, and interdistrict (intercity) services.

Until this requirement takes effect, entrepreneurs winning tenders for providing bus passenger services in the Republic of Karakalpakstan for interregional, suburban, and interdistrict (intercity) routes will be eligible for compensation of up to 50 percent of the costs for adapting buses to meet the needs of people with disabilities, not exceeding 30 sizes of basic estimated value, starting from 1 November 2024.