Residents of Panjakent: Strengthen the banks of the Zarafshan River!

Residents of the city of Panjakent are complaining that if the banks of the Zarafshan River are not strengthened, hundreds of hectares of arable land belonging to residents may be destroyed.

On July 25, 2023, sources from Azda TV reported that dozens of coastal houses and hundreds of hectares of arable land are being washed away daily from both banks of the Zarafshan River.

In a video obtained by the editorial staff of Azda TV from the village of Ozodagon in the Khurmi rural community of Panjakent, it can be seen that on July 24, the water level of the Zarafshan River rose, resulting in several hectares of coastal rice fields belonging to the villagers being completely submerged on both sides of the river.

Residents complain that local authorities in Panjakent are forcing residents of coastal areas to collect money for the strengthening of the riverbanks.

At the same time, residents say that the authorities are collecting money from them, even though the government allocates millions of somoni annually for the strengthening of the banks of this river. However, in practice, it is evident that the authorities and the relevant agencies responsible for strengthening the banks are not using the allocated funds for their intended purpose.