The 2026 program for preventing water shortages in Uzbekistan has been approved.

The Government of Uzbekistan has adopted a resolution for 2026 aimed at the rational use of water resources in irrigation systems and preventing water shortages.

 

According to the resolution, 60 billion soums will be allocated from the funds allocated to the Ministry of Water Resources for the construction of water reservoirs to irrigate agricultural crops using water-saving technologies in areas not sustainably supplied with water.

 

Additionally, another 60 billion soums will be allocated for additional measures to mitigate water shortages.

 

The document also approved targeted lists for projects on the concreting and reconstruction of canals to be implemented in 2026, the construction of water reservoirs, and a program of measures aimed at preventing water shortages.

 

According to the resolution, these projects will be implemented under the order of the regional state institutions "Suvqurilishinvest" within the ministry's system. Pre-project documents will be prepared within three days, and project organizations will be identified within a ten-day period. In the next stage, design and estimate documents will be developed within two months, and expert conclusions will be obtained.

 

For objects with expert conclusions, main contractors will be identified within three weeks, and construction and installation works will begin.

 

Furthermore, measures will be taken to allocate land plots for the construction of water reservoirs in the regions. In this regard, it is stipulated that up to 2 hectares of irrigated and unirrigated lands intended for agriculture can be allocated.

 

To effectively organize concreting works, schedules for opening and closing water in canals will be approved, and the necessary work front will be created for contracting organizations.

 

In addition, based on permits issued by organizations within the system of the State Committee for Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, the work of transplanting or, if necessary, cutting down trees and shrubs not included in the forest fund along canal banks within the project framework will be exempt from established payments.