Traffic jams, construction sites, and scandals: what Bishkek is remembered for in 2025

Владислав Вислоцкий • 05.01.2026, 14:54 • Society

The past year was significant for Bishkek: large-scale road repairs, the construction of new facilities, and numerous scandals became an integral part of city life, affecting the interests of thousands of residents.

In this material, we summarize the key events that took place in Bishkek in 2025:
1

Road Works

In 2025, nearly 100 kilometers of roads were repaired across 147 streets, including asphalt laying on 122 of them and sidewalk restoration on 25.

According to Ramiz Aliyev, the vice-mayor, such volumes of work have become a record for the capital, as previously it could only afford 30 kilometers.

For 2026, city authorities also have big plans: the reconstruction of over 100 kilometers of roads outside the city center is planned.

2

Traffic Congestion Issues

With the start of the season, officials promised that street closures would occur in stages to avoid creating traffic jams. However, in practice, this did not always work, and alternative routes were almost non-existent.

The situation worsened with the start of the school year on September 1, when road congestion reached 9 out of 10. During peak hours, many schoolchildren could not return home, and public transport was overcrowded, preventing many passengers from finding seats.

After the repairs, parking spaces disappeared on some streets — they were closed off by curbs.

The repair work also led to an increase in the width of the roadway by demolishing fences that extended beyond the red line. However, this did not solve the problem of traffic jams and congestion. The more roads are built, the more difficult life becomes without cars. Alternative approaches are needed to address this issue.

3

Scandals on the Avenue

Chingiz Aitmatov Avenue came under the spotlight. It was planned to expand to six lanes with a dedicated line for public transport and a separate bike lane. Dozens of plots of private property in the "Kyrgyzstan-1" and "Kyrgyzstan-2" residential areas were slated for demolition. The demolition of fences led to conflicts with the police.

Residents sought adequate compensation, as they had documents for the land. The city hall insisted that the highway project had been planned back in Soviet times, and its implementation began in 2025. Instead of compensation, officials filed lawsuits but soon decided to withdraw them and offer alternative options or compensation.

After the expansion, the avenue became unsafe: the lack of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings forced people to run across the road, leading to traffic accidents, including fatalities and injuries. In response, the construction of underground crossings began on the renovated sections.

With the expansion of the avenue, access to secondary streets was closed, creating additional problems for drivers and emergency services. For example, residents complained about difficulties for ambulances, and in December, firefighters faced issues when trying to reach the site of a fire.

The renovated avenue became associated by residents with new streetlights, similar to those installed even in Balakchy.

4

Construction of Old Bishkek

In the city center, near the Central Department Store, work began on the creation of the Old Bishkek shopping and entertainment complex. The project, implemented by the team of former mayor Nariman Tyuleev, required the closure of sections of Chuy Avenue and Shopokov Street, causing inconvenience for both motorists and pedestrians.

Residents expressed concerns about the fountain complex. The project initiators promise to preserve it, making it more attractive and adding musical accompaniment.

Criticism also targeted the quality of construction work — the new building did not match the declared project. As a result, the head of the State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev, ordered the demolition of an extra floor and the widening of the roadway on Chuy Avenue.

The project is expected to be completed in April or May, while residents are asked to be patient.

“I will create Monte Carlo for you, just wait a little,” the former mayor promised earlier.

We can only hope that these promises will be fulfilled.

5

Reduction of Green Spaces

The reconstruction of roads and active construction of facilities, along with the lack of irrigation, have led to the loss of green areas in Bishkek. In 2025, over 2,200 trees were cut down, significantly exceeding the previous figures of 600-700 plantings.

Only on Chingiz Aitmatov Avenue, about 1,200 poplars were felled.

The municipality claims that the removal of dry trees reduced the number of emergency situations, but in return, mature trees are being replaced with young ones that have a high risk of dying without proper care. Residents are wondering how long it will take before the new trees start providing shade.

The reduction of green spaces prompted residents to launch a petition demanding an end to the cutting down of healthy trees.

In their opinion, mass deforestation is not just vandalism, but a serious threat to health and comfortable living.

6

Public Transport Issues

In 2025, the city hall continued to increase the number of municipal public transport vehicles.

At the beginning of the year, Bishkek received 120 new electric buses from China. The former trolleybus depot was renovated to service them. Starting from September 25, electric buses began servicing city routes.

In December, 95 Yutong buses were also delivered, equipped with air conditioning for summer and heating systems for winter.

Every day, over 1,500 units of transport operate in the capital, but this is not enough, and during peak hours, buses are overcrowded. In summer, temperatures inside exceeded 50 degrees, leading to fainting among passengers.

The problem lies in the fact that officials are purchasing buses without air conditioning, which does not encourage citizens to switch to public transport.

7

Destruction of Cultural Objects

During the work on Chingiz Aitmatov Avenue, the mosaic "Meeting of Guests," which was a symbol of friendship between the peoples of Kyrgyzstan, was destroyed. Earlier, the city hall had promised to preserve it.

The city authorities stated that they did not make the decision to demolish it, and that the dismantling was carried out at the instruction of the presidential administration.

The panel is a monument of republican significance and is included in the State Register of Historical and Cultural Monuments. By law, the demolition or alteration of such objects is only possible with the permission of the Ministry of Culture, but the ministry did not grant such permissions and, after the panel's disappearance, contacted law enforcement agencies.

At the end of 2025, one of the oldest city fountains, built in 1956, was demolished in Dubovy Park.

8

Problems with Pets

In 2025, the city hall attempted to update the Rules for Keeping Pets. Some provisions were supported by residents, but others caused dissatisfaction and questions.

Residents noted the lack of infrastructure for pet owners — there are no specialized areas and zones where they could walk their pets.

In response, residents launched a petition asking to reconsider the draft resolution, taking into account the interests of all citizens, and to create maps of walking areas.

The city hall promised to designate areas for dog walking.

9

Energy from Waste

In Bishkek, a landfill that had been smoking into the sky for many years operated. In 2025, a household waste incineration plant began operation, which produces electricity and processes residues into building materials.

The capacity of the new facility allows for the destruction of up to 1,200 tons of waste per day, exceeding the average daily waste volume in Bishkek, and after full launch, it will be able to produce up to 30 megawatts of electricity.

10

Corruption Among Officials

The year 2025 was marked by the detention of several officials.

As part of a criminal case on extortion, vice-mayor 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 Yrsaliev, was also detained but was soon released on a travel ban, and his accountability remains unclear.