The development of road infrastructure and the creation of convenient traffic conditions remain among the key priorities for the capital, whose population and urban area continue to grow rapidly. Consequently, modern roads and bridges are being built across Tashkent, while existing ones are being upgraded to meet contemporary standards.

Shota Rustaveli Street, one of the city’s main arteries, connects several districts of Tashkent. To improve traffic flow, the section from Mirabad Street to Choshtepa Street, nearly 7 kilometers long, has been completely reconstructed.

The new layout includes 10 lanes: six for cars, two for public transport, and two designated for parking.
The President, accompanied by representatives of state agencies and public organizations, traveled by bus along the street, inspected the new features, and spoke with passengers about the improvements.

For the first time in Tashkent, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system – dedicated lanes for public transport – has been introduced, drawing on the experience of developed countries. This innovation has significantly increased bus speed and passenger comfort.
As a result of the $19.2 million project, passenger flow rose from 2,500 to 6,000 people per hour. The road’s capacity reached 40,000 vehicles per day, while the average traffic speed increased from 23 to 30 kilometers per hour.

Most importantly, road safety improved markedly, with a significant reduction in traffic accidents.
Under the project, 21 new bus stops and 463 smart traffic lights were installed, and an intelligent transport management system was implemented. In addition, the street now features parking areas, bicycle lanes, green zones, and modern irrigation and drainage systems.

At the site, the President was also presented with projects to expand the network of dedicated bus lanes and to create new transport hubs around the capital.
“If we had not built new metro lines and purchased modern buses, traffic in Tashkent today would have become extremely difficult. That is why we are improving the roads and developing public transport to make life more convenient for people. We will continue this work in all our cities”, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized.

The President instructed responsible officials to improve public transport convenience, reduce traffic congestion, and ensure effective transport connectivity between Tashkent and New Tashkent.
The renovated Shota Rustaveli Street has not only beautified the capital but has also become a symbol of Tashkent’s transition toward a modern and intelligent transport system.
According to Sergey Stanovkin, BBC Studios’ commercial representative in Eurasia, the international media forum “Islamic Civilization: New Perspective — New Discoveries,” held in Tashkent at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has become a new media platform aimed at presenting Uzbekistan’s history and civilizational heritage to a global audience in its own independent voice.
Sergey Stanovkin, BBC Studios’ Commercial Representative in Eurasia:
The significance of this media forum is immense. Bringing representatives of professional media organizations together on a single platform produces a completely different impact in the information environment. Although blogging is one of the rapidly developing and important areas today, traditional media have their own audiences, spheres of influence, levels of trust, and editorial policies. Therefore, the fact that this event is being held specifically in the format of a media forum, with the participation of numerous representatives of international media outlets, is particularly significant.
The key task now is to give Central Asia and Uzbekistan a greater presence on the international media agenda. To achieve this, Uzbekistan and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan need to have their own voice, their own content, and effective communications. The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan has something meaningful to say to the world and valuable content to present.
The establishment of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan is also extremely important from this perspective. It creates a bridge not only between countries, but also between the past and the future. Understanding history helps us build the future in the right way. When the BBC ran the “Uzbekistan — Crossroads of Civilizations” promotional campaign, I thought a great deal about this idea. In my view, the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan is one of those important crossroads in the humanitarian sphere — it draws people to Tashkent and Uzbekistan and brings different countries closer together.
What is making Uzbekistan an important platform for international cultural dialogue is, above all, its dynamism and proactive approach. This is clearly visible in both the economy and culture. Uzbekistan is particularly distinguished by its forward-looking vision. Studying the past is extremely important, but speaking about the future and defining the direction of development are equally significant. This is how new partners and new supporters emerge. Uzbekistan is doing this very successfully. That is why it has so many friends and partners. I am confident that Uzbekistan has a great and bright future ahead.