Traffic jams, construction, and scandals: what stood out in Bishkek in 2025
Let’s recall the most significant events that took place in the capital last year:
1
Major Road Repairs
In 2025, nearly 100 kilometers of road surface were repaired on 147 streets (asphalt was laid on 122, and sidewalks were restored on 25).
As noted by Vice Mayor Ramiz Aliyev, this is a historically high figure for the city, as previously only 30 kilometers could be repaired.
For the future, officials have planned even more ambitious projects, including the reconstruction of over 100 kilometers of roads, covering not just the city center.
2
Traffic Jam Issues
At the beginning of the season, the authorities promised that street closures would occur in stages to avoid traffic jams. However, this promise was not always fulfilled, and alternative routes were not always available.
With the start of the school year on September 1, the situation only worsened. On certain days, traffic congestion reached 9 out of 10. Schoolchildren could not get home on time, and public transport was overcrowded, forcing many passengers to remain outside buses and minibuses.
After the repairs, parking pockets disappeared on some streets as they were closed off with curbs.
During the work, the width of some roads was increased by dismantling fences and extensions that extended beyond the red line. However, this did not solve the problem of traffic jams and congestion—more roads do not mean less congestion. A different approach is needed to resolve the issue.
3
Disputes Over the Avenue
Particular attention was drawn to Chingiz Aitmatov Avenue, where it was planned to make the road six lanes wide with a dedicated lane for public transport and a bike lane. Dozens of sections belonging to residents of the "Kyrgyzstan-1" and "Kyrgyzstan-2" residential areas were subject to partial demolition. The demolition of fences was accompanied by clashes with the police.
Residents demanded reasonable compensation, as they had documents for the land. The city hall insisted that the highway had been planned back in the Soviet era, and that the project only began implementation in 2025. Instead of compensation, officials filed lawsuits but later decided to withdraw them and offer residents alternative options or compensation.
After the expansion of the avenue, the area became less safe. Due to the lack of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, people had to run across the road, leading to traffic accidents, including fatalities and injuries. In response, underground passages began to be built at the renovated sections.
During the road expansion from the avenue, entrances to secondary streets were closed, creating additional inconveniences for drivers and complicating access for emergency services. For example, residents of Bishkek complained about difficulties for ambulances, and in December, firefighters faced challenges in reaching the fire site.
The renovated avenue is now associated by many with new streetlights. Similar street lamps were even installed in Balakchy.
4
Construction of a Shopping Complex
A new shopping and entertainment complex called Old Bishkek began construction in the TsUM area, developed by the team of former mayor Nariman Tyleev. This required the closure of sections of Chuy Avenue and Shopokov Street, causing inconvenience for both drivers and pedestrians.
Residents expressed concern about the fountain complex: project initiators assure that it will be preserved, improved, and equipped with musical accompaniment.
Criticism also concerned the quality of the work done—the new three-story building did not fully match the promised project. As a result, the head of the GKNB Kamchybek Tashiev ordered the demolition of the extra floor and the widening of the roadway on Chuy Avenue.
The project is planned to be completed in April or May, and until then, residents of Bishkek are urged to be patient.
“I will create Monte Carlo for you, just wait a little,” the former mayor stated earlier.
We hope that this promise will be fulfilled.
5
Loss of Greenery
Due to road reconstruction and active construction, as well as the lack of irrigation systems, Bishkek is losing its greenery. In 2025, more than 2,200 mature trees were cut down. For comparison, in previous years, only 600-700 plantings were removed.
About 1,200 poplars were cut down on Chingiz Aitmatov Avenue.
The municipality claims that due to the removal of dead trees, the number of tree falls has decreased, which, in turn, reduces the risk of injuries and property damage. At the same time, officials assure that they are planting much more than they are cutting down. However, a small seedling replaces a mature tree with a wide crown, which may not survive without proper care and watering. How long will it take before this seedling starts providing shade, if it doesn’t perish?
The reduction of green spaces prompted residents of Kyrgyzstan to create a petition demanding an end to the cutting down of healthy trees in the capital. The authors believe that mass deforestation is not only vandalism but also a serious threat to the health and comfortable living of citizens.
6
Hot Days and Overcrowded Buses
Last year, the city hall continued to increase the number of municipal public transport vehicles.
At the beginning of 2025, 120 new electric buses arrived from China, for which the former trolleybus depot was renovated. Starting September 25, the electric buses began to operate city routes.
In December, 95 Yutong buses also arrived from China. They have air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter.
In Bishkek, more than 1,500 vehicles operate daily on the lines. Nevertheless, this is not enough, and during peak hours, buses are overcrowded. In the summer, temperatures inside reached 50 degrees, and there are known cases of passengers losing consciousness. The problem lies in the fact that officials purchased buses without air conditioning. This circumstance does not encourage citizens to abandon the use of personal vehicles in favor of public transport.
7
Cultural Losses
During construction work on Chingiz Aitmatov Avenue, the mosaic "Meeting of Guests," which was installed during Soviet times and became a symbol of friendship between the peoples of Kyrgyzstan, was completely destroyed. Earlier, the city hall promised to preserve and restore this panel.
The city authorities claim that they did not make decisions regarding the demolition of the object. The dismantling was carried out at the direction of the presidential administration.
Read more on the topic The deputy called for punishing those responsible for the destruction of historical objects in Bishkek
The panel is included in the State Register of Historical and Cultural Monuments as a work of art of republican significance. By law, the demolition, relocation, or alteration of the appearance of such objects is only possible with the permission of the authorized body—the Ministry of Culture.
However, this ministry did not grant permissions for the dismantling of the mosaic. Moreover, after the panel's disappearance, it filed an official statement with law enforcement agencies. The results of the investigation are currently unknown.
At the end of 2025, one of the oldest city fountains, built in 1956 along with the park ensemble, was demolished in Dubovy Park.
8
About Animals
Last year, the city authorities planned to update the rules for keeping pets. Some points of the new project were supported by residents (for example, a ban on cruelty to animals), but others raised dissatisfaction and questions.
Read more on the topic Rules for animals in Bishkek: bans, fines, culling
Residents noted the lack of infrastructure for pet owners—there are no specialized areas and zones where norms could be observed and pets could be walked peacefully.
Residents launched a petition requesting a reconsideration of the draft resolution, taking into account the interests of all groups of citizens, and developing a map of walking zones, including the creation of specialized areas in each district of Bishkek.
The authorities promised to designate places for walking dogs.
9
Energy from Waste
For many years, there was a landfill in the capital that emitted smoke. In 2025, a plant was launched that will burn household waste, produce energy, and recycle the residues into construction materials.
The capacity of the new facility is up to 1,200 tons of waste per day, which exceeds the average daily volume of waste in the city. Once fully operational, it will be able to produce up to 30 megawatts of electricity.
10
Anti-Corruption Measures
2025 was not without arrests among officials.
As part of a criminal case related to extortion of a bribe, the vice mayor of the capital, Talaybek Baigaziev, who was responsible for the fuel and energy complex, was detained while returning part of the previously received $35,000.
Another deputy mayor, Jamalbek Yrsaliyev, was also detained on suspicion of exceeding authority and corruption, but he was soon released on a travel ban, and the question of his accountability remains open.
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