22 Industrial Sites Shut Down in Navoi over Environmental Violations
Authorities in Navoi have temporarily halted operations at 22 industrial facilities following serious environmental violations linked to air, soil and water pollution. The closures affect a range of plants, including brickworks, asphalt and chemical factories, roofing material producers, medical waste incinerators and illegal dumping sites.
The move follows public concern after clouds of white smoke were observed across the city, prompting a wave of complaints about deteriorating environmental conditions. A working group involving the Prosecutor General’s Office is conducting a two-stage investigation to trace pollution sources and monitor industrial compliance.
Toxic Emissions Exceed Limits as Factories Fail to Meet Standards
On July 19, air quality was measured at 11 locations across the city. Results showed that sulphur dioxide levels exceeded safe limits by 1.86 times, and ammonia levels by 1.43 times. On the same day, CCTV footage captured emissions near the former Elektrokimyo plant and nearby factories, including Sogda Kimyo Zavod, Ferrosplav and Zarafshon Industrial Technology.
Inspections revealed that these plants were operating without the required environmental assessments, had been releasing harmful substances into the atmosphere and storing waste improperly. One facility alone is estimated to have caused environmental damage worth over 7 bn UZS. Their operations have also been suspended, with a ten-day deadline issued to rectify the breaches or face legal action.
Wider Crackdown Targets Dozens of Enterprises
The investigation’s second phase is expanding to cover 168 enterprises across Navoi and its surrounding districts. Of the 42 sites inspected so far, lawsuits have already been filed to close 19 of them, including Qurilish Mahsulotlari, Qizilqum Shifer, Stroykom-77, Navoiy Util Med, Foskhim Agro and Rubin-Karmana.
Navoi’s major chemical plant, Navoiyazot, was also found to be in breach, with excessive levels of ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide recorded. The plant had also illegally stored construction debris. Authorities have imposed fines and compensation orders and given the company ten days to comply.
In a related operation on July 24, 24 individuals were caught producing lime illegally in Karmana district. Their equipment was dismantled and they were fined a total of 18 mln UZS.
Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan has received advanced radiation control equipment from US.
