Aybek Junushaliev, the Mayor of Bishkek, expressed his opinion regarding the dismantling of metal structures located near the Central Department Store.
According to the mayor, the project was initially supposed to be implemented according to the approved sketch. Those responsible for the project assured that the work was being carried out in accordance with the agreed documentation.
However, in December 2025, the concept of the object underwent significant changes. This made it impossible to implement the project in its original form. The changes made were not approved, so a decision was made to dismantle the structures and restore the area to its original state.
“I am not making excuses, but simply clarifying the situation. There is a lot of criticism on social media, asking why actions were not taken earlier. I want to clarify,” emphasized Junushaliev.
The mayor specified that the city was initially presented with an outdated project that had been changed multiple times. Then the main project was presented, which was published on social media and liked by the residents.
“Until the work began, how could we know that everything would go differently? Yes, construction started, but, as is often the case, a lot changes during the process,”
Aybek Junushaliev
“The project leaders reached out to the citizens several times. We acted strictly according to the project that was officially handed over to us, and said: ‘At this stage, the construction looks like this, but everything will be fine upon completion,’” the mayor added.
He noted that in December 2025, the architectural department received a recommendation for the complete redesign of the project.
Returning to the original version was impossible, and the city services refused to approve these changes, expressing disagreement with the new concept.
“We invited architects and asked if it was possible to revert the current construction to the original project. The answer was negative: ‘No, this is completely different, it does not correspond to the project.’ That is why the decision to dismantle was made,” the mayor emphasized.
Aybek Junushaliev added that all actions of the city services were carried out within their authority and in the interests of the residents.
It is worth reminding that the Bishkek city hall began the dismantling of metal structures near the Central Department Store. The head of the city, Aybek Junushaliev, was present at the scene. Today, the first stage of the removal of structures built without an approved project began.
