On January 21, 2011 inauguration of three gasification projects and one project on electricity supply in target communities of Takhtakupir district of Karakalpakstan took place within the UNDP “Area Based Development (ABD)” project. Currently, about 230 families residing in the communities “Takhtakupir”, “Kirpich Zavod”, and Makhalla Committee #2 have access to natural gas, while 44 families in “Otkorm Baza” community are connected to a new source of electricity. 

Ermakhanova Janil, “Takhtakupir” mahalla inhabitant, recalls: “…It is difficult to imagine families living in the district center and using wood for heating and cooking. We have been using wood for the last fifteen years”. In fact, despite the location of the community in the very center of Takhtakupir district, due to an increasing number of households the problem of low natural gas pressure has been observed here for a long time. Several times local people addressed the district Khakimiyat and gas department. However, they were not able to come up with a solution due to the lack of funds. Being a newly formed community, “Kirpich Zavod” mahalla of “Janadarya” village had a similar problem related to the lack of gas pipeline. Thanks to cooperation with ABD project, the gasification problem was solved by provision of funds for establishing connection to the main gas pipeline, as well as technical assistance in form of necessary steel pipes delivery.

Supporting a process of improving electricity supply to the “Otkorm Baza” community of “Mulk” village, also was one of the priority issues, as frequent cut off electricity because of an old transformer installed back in 1978 caused a lot of inconveniences for 44 families. Due to the lack of electricians in the community, in case of break down or accident the damage cannot be eliminated on time, resulting in the electricity shortage for a few days. Procurement of a new transformer by the project successfully solved this problem.

The total cost of above mentioned infrastructure projects implemented in four communities of Takhtakupir district is about 102 mln. soums with 72% of the ABD contribution. There are also other social infrastructure projects implementing in the district, such as improved water supply, renovation of pre-school, school, and healthcare facilities.

Since its implementation in four districts of Karakalpakstan, ABD project funded 10 community gasification and 3 electricity supply projects totally amounted to more than 408 mln. soums, including 239 mln. soums of Project contribution.