President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has approved a project for the reconstruction of the road between the village of Pungan in the Pap district and Namangan. During his visit to the Namangan region on March 25th, he announced the decision. The President expressed the importance of this project for the residents of Namangan and the Fergana Valley, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure, especially during winter.
The reconstruction project is set to commence on April 25th of this year and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. The planned speed limit on the road will be 120 km/h, with bridges, overpasses, and underground crossings along the route. The Ministry of Transport clarified that the project focuses on the reconstruction and expansion of the road.
The Chinese company CITIC Construction, a subsidiary of the state-owned CITIC Group, will be responsible for the project implementation. Established in 1960, CITIC Construction is involved in various sectors such as energy, chemicals, agriculture, and environmental protection.
The history of the project dates back to October 2019 when the former head of the Namangan region requested the government to expand the two-lane Pungan-Namangan road due to increased traffic flow and accidents. In 2013, the Asian Development Bank provided a loan of $220 million to Uzbekistan for the reconstruction of the road, replacing the asphalt surface with a four-lane concrete one.
Despite initial delays and setbacks, the project is now back on track with the support of the President. The focus remains on enhancing transportation infrastructure in the region to benefit the local population and boost economic development.
