BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 20
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbekistan plans to modernize 95 pumping stations in Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, Samarkand, Navoi and Bukhara regions, Trend reports with reference to the press service of the president of Uzbekistan.
The mentioned issue was discussed by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the meeting on improving agricultural infrastructure through the modernization of pumping stations.
According to the information, Uzbekistan at the moment has 1,687 pumping stations, of which 299 became obsolete, as a result of which 80,000 hectares of land were out of use, water supply deteriorated on 607,000 hectares. The modernization of these stations will require 700 million euros.
It is reported that at the first stage the Ministry of Water Resources was instructed to hold tenders for the purchase of equipment and start construction by the end of the year to modernize pumping stations in Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, Samarkand, Navoi and Bukhara regions at the expense of a foreign loan in the amount of 146 million euros.
It was noted that domestic enterprises produce 15 out of 86 types of pumping equipment and 20 out of 80 types of electric motors required for modernization. The president of Uzbekistan emphasized the need for wider use of this factor when purchasing equipment.
Also, within the framework of the project, it is planned to return 40,000 hectares of land into circulation and improve water supply on 315,000 hectares. In particular, the volume of irrigation will increase in three districts of Bukhara and three districts of Navoi regions, five districts of Kashkadarya, six districts of Samarkand and 11 districts of Surkhandarya regions (in total in 28 districts).
The president also noted that through the introduction of water-saving technologies on the lands covered by the project, it will be possible to reduce water consumption by 40 percent and put into use an additional 20,000 hectares of land.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @romakayeva