Aibek Junushaliev, the Mayor of Bishkek, commented on the dismantling of the metal structures located near the Central Department Store.
He noted that the work was supposed to be carried out according to a previously approved project sketch. However, as project representatives assured, all actions were carried out within the framework of the agreed documentation.
Nevertheless, in December 2025, the project's concept was significantly changed by the project management. This necessitated the dismantling of the structures, as the implementation of the original project became impossible, and the changes were not agreed upon. Thus, a decision was made to return the area to its original state.
“I am not making excuses, but simply explaining the situation. There are many questions on social media, such as ‘why wasn’t this done earlier?’ or ‘why wasn’t it completed?’,” the mayor emphasized.
According to Junushaliev, the city was initially presented with an outdated project, which was then revised several times. Ultimately, the main project was published, which received positive feedback from residents.
“How could we have predicted that everything would go wrong until the construction started? Yes, then the work began, but, as always, during the process, everything changes,” the mayor noted.
Aibek Junushaliev
“The designers repeatedly reached out to the public. We worked strictly according to the project that was approved and stated that the current appearance is just a stage, and everything will be fine after completion,” the mayor added.
He also reported that in December 2025, the architectural management received a recommendation to completely change the project.
Returning to the previous version was no longer possible. City services refused to approve the changes and did not officially support the new concept.
“We invited architects and asked if it was possible to revert the construction to the original project. They replied that it was impossible, as something entirely different is being built now,” Junushaliev emphasized.
According to the mayor, all actions of the city services were carried out strictly within their authority and taking into account the opinions of residents.
We remind you that the Bishkek city hall began dismantling the structures near the TSUM, and Aibek Junushaliev was present at the scene. Today, the first stage of the liquidation of objects built without the appropriate approvals has started.
