Every winter, when snowfall occurs, residents of Dushanbe complain about unsafe movement around the city due to slippery sidewalk tiles. City authorities addressed the issue at a news conference held at Dushanbe City Hall on February 5.
First Deputy Mayor Bakhtiyor Sharifi acknowledged the problem and announced that matte-finish sidewalk tiles will be used across the capital instead of glossy ones. He said the decision was made on the instruction of Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali.
“In the past, some business owners used glossy tiles near their facilities to enhance the appearance of sidewalks. However, the very first winter showed that such tiles are extremely slippery. Children were the most affected by falls and often sustained injuries,” Sharifi explained.
He added that during the reconstruction of a road along Sadriddin Ayni Street, near the ambulance station, matte sidewalk tiles were installed.
According to the deputy mayor, permits for sidewalk tile installation will now be issued by the city’s Architecture Department, while oversight of compliance with the mayor’s directive will be carried out by the State Architectural and Construction Supervision Authority.
