Who can ensure that an explosion in Fergana won't happen in Yaypan? Residents are worried about the fuel station located near their homes.

People living near the gas station have expressed their concerns to Kun.uz following a recent explosion in Fergana. A Kun.uz correspondent visited the neighborhood and listened to the residents.

“Material interests are involved here…”

“This is the main route to the hospital. A propane gas station has been built just two and a half meters from the road. Nearby, there is a kindergarten where parents bring their children every day. The gas station is right by the road and surrounded by residential houses. This situation does not comply with any regulations.

Before the construction, residents voiced their disagreement, but for the sake of good neighborly relations, we were persuaded to give our consent. How is it possible that the relevant authorities — the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service — authorized a propane gas station in a residential area?

Maybe a few residents did give their consent, but what about the officials? I believe their material interests are involved, which is why they issued the permit. We are against it. Why should hundreds of people be at risk for someone’s personal gain?” asks a local resident.

“We are operating on loan funds”

“Due to complaints from a neighbor whose house is behind our station, we had to move the gas station closer to the roadway by 10 meters. As a result, the gas station is now closer to the houses, and the distance is now 35 meters.

We invested all our funds into constructing the propane gas station and started operations only a month and a half ago. I personally monitor safety around the clock to ensure no harm comes to anyone. We took out a loan of 320 million sums from the government to launch this project,” explains Umid Mirzaev, the director of LLC Bengaz Yaypan Fayz.

“My protests went unheard”

“Before the construction of the propane gas station, I expressed my disagreement, as the distance between it and our house was only 20 meters. Despite my objections, the gas station was only slightly moved, increasing the distance to 40 meters. When I continued to protest, it was moved to 60 meters.

I was told by the relevant authorities that the consent of residents was no longer required since the distance now complies with regulations. However, they previously claimed that the gas station would not be built without the residents' consent.

I reached out to the emergency management department of the Fergana region, the district emergency management department, the district hokimiyat, the regional ecology department, the prosecutor's office, and the regional internal affairs department. But all the responses were the same: “The distance is compliant, neighbor consent has been obtained.”

Despite this, I still disagree and continue to express my dissatisfaction.

Consent was given for a distance of 30–40 meters, but that is still too close. Why are the relevant officials turning a blind eye to this? If residents agree, can a gas station be built anywhere? Who will be responsible for permitting the construction of this propane gas station among residential houses?” questions resident Javohir Shamsiddinov.

“After that explosion, we are afraid…”

“Since the explosion in Fergana, we live in constant anxiety. Those who granted the permit for propane said everything would be safe. But we have seen that no one can guarantee safety. An explosion can happen at any moment, if not today, then tomorrow.

We demand that the relevant authorities investigate the situation and move the gas station further away from residential homes. Organizations that issue permits must consider the opinions of residents. People live here, and their fate depends on such decisions. We do not want to risk our lives living next to a propane gas station,” states Zilufar Turakhuzhaeva.

“My son-in-law won’t let the grandchildren visit us…”

“Three months ago, a propane gas station was built near our house without even notifying us. We have approached many authorities. Inspections from the region and hokimiyat even came, but we have not received a positive response.

Now my son-in-law, who lives in Fergana, has stopped allowing our grandchildren to visit. He says, ‘You live next to propane.’ We do not need this gas station — neither its benefits nor its harms.

Let them move it outside the residential area; they can build it in a field. We are not against entrepreneurs working, but not at the cost of our safety. In Fergana, we have seen how fire destroyed homes several kilometers away,” shares Farida Kamolova.

“The station is safe for the surrounding area…”

“The application for the construction of the propane gas station was submitted through government services. The application was accompanied by letters of consent from residents confirming their approval.

After receiving a positive conclusion from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, a favorable verdict was issued. The projects were developed by a private organization, and a conclusion was also obtained from the Council on Architecture and Urban Planning. Based on this, construction was carried out. In certain places, the distance is from forty to sixty meters. These requirements have been met, and now the gas station is considered safe for the surrounding area,” says Rahmonberdi Khasanov, head of the construction and communal services department of the Uzbekistan district.

“We only just realized we live next to a bomb…”

“While I was in Russia, my relatives, without fully understanding the situation, signed the consent for the construction of the gas station near our house. Initially, only gasoline was sold there. My parents did not know how dangerous propane is and what could happen in the event of an explosion. The distance from the gas station to our house is less than 50 meters.

We have all seen how many people died in the recent explosion. Now we realize we live next to a bomb. We want a peaceful life without fear for our lives. Let them remove the propane and relocate the gas station elsewhere. Propane is not needed in a residential area,” says local resident Azamatxuja Olimxujaev.

Officials promise to review the station's operations

During the investigation, it became known that the gas station “Bengaz Yaypan Fayz” began its operations without the approval of the sanitary-epidemiological center of the Uzbekistan district, as reported by its head Akmal Sulaymonov.

The heads of the construction department of the Fergana regional emergency management agency, Sokhib Saliev, and the environmental expertise department, Muhammadmusо Bobokhudjaev, stated that the station's operations will be reviewed.

However, the designer of the gas station, a representative of the company “Fergana Eco-Project,” Boburjon Mamasoliev, claims that all necessary positive conclusions from the relevant organizations were obtained before the construction began.

Recall that on December 17, an explosion occurred at a multi-fuel gas station on Ahmad Yassavi Street in the city of Fergana.

The cause of the incident, according to the official version, was a violation of technological processes and non-compliance with safety regulations during the refueling of liquefied gas. As a result of the explosion, 4 people died. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.

A few days after the tragedy, at the initiative of the owner, the gas station was dismantled .

Author: Sarvar Ziyoev, Kun.uz
Editing: Sardor Mamirov.