A reinforced-concrete sewer line 1,800 mm in diameter was damaged at the Better Best company's construction site in Tashkent's Yakkasaray district, near the Solaris residential complex, the press service of the capital's mayor’s office reported. According to the city's Department of Ecology, the accident caused wastewater to flow directly into the Salar canal.
The incident took place on July 3 at around 3:15 p.m. on Salar Street. According to the mayor’s office, the damaged sewer pipeline caused partial ground subsidence and collapse. No one was injured.
The cause was identified as the construction company's failure to observe technical standards and safety requirements while carrying out excavation and construction work in close proximity to utility networks.
Officials at the mayor’s office noted that the relevant agencies had repeatedly warned the construction company about the need to protect existing utility networks and carry out work safely; however, according to preliminary findings, the necessary measures were not taken fully or in time.
The utility company Toshkent Shahar Suv Ta'minoti (government body irresponsible for Tashkent City Water Supply) said its specialists, working alongside the relevant agencies, have begun emergency repairs and restoration of the wastewater drainage network. The company reports that the situation is now under control.
Wastewater Enters the Salar Canal
On July 6, the press service of the Yakkasaray district mayor’s office, citing the Tashkent City Department of Ecology and Climate Change, reported that after posts began circulating on social media about a damaged sewage pipe on Shota Rustaveli Street and wastewater entering the Salar canal, a task force was formed under the leadership of department head A. Rasulov.
The group included specialists from the analytical laboratory covering environmental monitoring, climate change adaptation, and hydrometeorology, as well as state inspectors from the Yakkasaray district's environmental control inspectorate.
An on-site inspection determined that the sewage pipe had been damaged through carelessness during construction work, resulting in a direct discharge of wastewater into the Salar canal. Laboratory specialists collected water samples from the canal and sent them for analysis.
The Department of Ecology stated that, based on the results of the laboratory tests and the review of the situation, measures would be taken in accordance with the law to address the violations of environmental protection requirements.
The department later reported that environmental control inspectors in Yakkasaray district had stopped the discharge of wastewater from the construction site into the Salar canal. The wastewater was redirected into the central sewage system. Officials said this prevented further contamination of the water body and that the necessary measures had been taken to ensure environmental safety.
The Tashkent mayor’s office reported that the initial documentation on the incident is being forwarded to the relevant authorities for legal assessment and appropriate action. The administration stressed that construction, excavation, and other work that damages, harms, or destroys the city's utility networks will be examined according to established procedure, and that any individuals or organizations found responsible will be held accountable if violations are confirmed.
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