In Kyrgyzstan, within the framework of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program, several significant projects are being implemented aimed at developing transport infrastructure and strengthening regional connectivity. Below are some of them:
- CAREC Corridors 1 and 3 Connector Road Project: This project aims to improve connectivity between key transport corridors, thereby strengthening regional trade and economic cooperation.
- CAREC Corridor 3 (Bishkek-Osh Road) Improvement, Phase 4: The project includes the reconstruction of a section of the Bishkek-Osh highway, improving transport connectivity between the northern and southern regions of the country.
- CAREC Transport Corridor-1 (Bishkek-Torugart Road) Project 1: The project aims to improve road infrastructure along a key section connecting Kyrgyzstan to China, facilitating trade and economic ties.
In addition, in recent years, efforts have been made to expand the portfolio of CAREC regional projects aimed at improving economic cooperation among Central Asian countries. In particular, Kyrgyzstan proposed a number of initiatives for implementation during its chairmanship of the CAREC program in 2025.
The total investment in CAREC projects in Kyrgyzstan is approximately US$24.6 billion, of which approximately US$19.6 billion is invested in 107 transport sector projects located along six CAREC transport corridors. As a result of these projects, 4,970 km of roads and 3,190 km of railways were built or rehabilitated.
As part of the implementation of Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) projects in Kyrgyzstan and other countries in the region, several problems have arisen and continue to arise. Here are the main ones:
- Financial difficulties:
Problems with financing remain one of the main obstacles to the successful implementation of projects. Although much of the funding comes from international donors and banks such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), large infrastructure projects often require significant additional costs that may not always be budgeted for.
- Delays in project implementation:
There is often a problem with delays in the construction and implementation of infrastructure projects. This is due to various factors, such as lack of coordination between government agencies and contractors, problems with land allocation, and the need to resolve issues related to environmental or legal aspects.
- Lack of qualified personnel:
Some projects have difficulty recruiting qualified individuals who can effectively manage large infrastructure projects. This can slow down work and lead to ineffective work.
- Local community resistance:
Sometimes local residents or members of local communities resist construction projects, especially when it involves resettlement or the use of land that has cultural or historical value to them. This may delay implementation processes or introduce additional costs.
- Environmental and social risks:
The implementation of infrastructure projects often raises concerns about their environmental impact. Some projects may damage ecosystems or disrupt traditional farming practices of local communities, leading to protests and additional costs to mitigate these risks.
- Political instability and changes in legislation:
Regional political instability or changes in legislation may also have an impact on projects. Changes in politics, corruption, or changes in national interests can slow down or even stop projects.
- Difficulties with interstate cooperation:
Although CAREC involves cooperation among countries in the region, there are difficulties in coordination between states, which may hamper the development of transcordon infrastructure. Differences in national interests, economic models, and political views may prevent consensus from being reached.
These challenges require an integrated approach to project management, improved coordination between government agencies, international organizations and the private sector, as well as increased outreach to local communities and improved environmental and social assessment of projects.
As part of the project to reconstruct the Bishkek-Osh highway within the CAREC corridors, the following changes were made that affected local residents and entrepreneurs:
– Kara-Balta city: It is planned to relocate about 70 commercial facilities located along the road. These facilities are leased by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic. The mayor of the city noted that the transfer was due to the need to reduce traffic jams and preserve the architectural appearance of the city.
– Rural village aimak Datka, Kara-Suu district, Osh region: As part of the expansion of part of the route, it is planned to demolish 28 private houses. The Ministry of Transport reported that a project has been developed for the remaining 600 meters of the road to increase the width to four lanes, which will require the demolition of these houses.
The main stages of reconstruction of the Bishkek – Kara-Balta road:
2015:
In 2015, the Bishkek-Kara-Balta road was in unsatisfactory condition, which negatively affected the safety and comfort of traffic.
2020:
Reconstruction of the road began in 2017 with the support of the Asian Development Bank. By 2020, the main work was completed and the road was put into operation. However, soon problems with the quality of the surface appeared: in some areas the asphalt began to deteriorate, and holes and cracks appeared. As a result, despite the official completion of the project, additional renovation work was required.
Problem areas of the Bishkek – Kara-Balta road
In 2015, the Bishkek-Kara-Balta road was in unsatisfactory condition, which negatively affected the safety and comfort of traffic.
Main problems included:
– Uneven road surface
– No curb
– Low bandwidth
– Lack of lighting in some areas
In 2020, reconstruction of the road began with the support of the Asian Development Bank. However, problems soon appeared:
- Plot in Sokuluk area
Problems: traffic jams, lack of a normal shoulder, destruction of the surface
Coordinates: 42.8309, 74.3755
Description: departure from Sokuluk towards Kara-Balta – often mentioned in complaints.
- Plot at a turn in the Voenno-Antonovka area
Problems: holes, deformation of the coating
Coordinates: 42.8864, 74.4976
Description: Road works and temporary fencing were often observed here.
- Plot near the village of Novopavlovka (not far from “Rioma”)
Problems: destruction of asphalt after reconstruction
Coordinates: 42.8505, 74.3004
Description: the road seems to be new, but defects appeared already in 2022.
- Section 36+024 – 36+490 km (according to the report for 2024)
Problems: laying asphalt not in accordance with GOST, mandatory rework
Approximate coordinates: 42.8380, 74.2130
Description: This is where the contractor was supposed to dismantle and remodel the site in 2024.
- The entrance to Kara-Balta itself
Problems: traffic jams, transition zones between the new and old roads
Coordinates: 42.8137, 73.8859
The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program was aimed at developing economic interaction between Central Asian countries and improving their integration. However, despite positive aspects such as infrastructure development and improved trade links, this program also had several negative consequences for the population of the region.
- Environmental Issues: Some projects under CAREC, such as large infrastructure projects, have often resulted in environmental degradation. For example, the expansion of irrigation or the construction of large hydraulic structures could contribute to the drying up of reservoirs and deterioration of water quality, which affects rural populations, especially in countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
- Increasing social inequality: Economic growth programs that support infrastructure development often benefit large corporations and businessmen, but do not always have a positive impact on ordinary citizens. In regions with high poverty, such projects may not provide sufficient jobs or improvements in living conditions for the majority of the population.
- Migration and jobs: Economic initiatives could lead to migration of the population in search of work, which increased the social burden on large cities and introduced tension in local communities, which is often associated with problems of employment and social adaptation.
- Lack of social services: In some cases, investments in infrastructure and the economy have not been matched by adequate attention to improving social services such as health and education. This could result in many areas of the region being neglected and their residents not receiving the full benefits of economic programs.
Thus, although CAREC has some positive aspects in terms of economic development, its impact on the population can be mixed, especially in the context of environmental and social issues.
In 2017, as part of the reconstruction of the Bishkek-Kara-Balta highway, 3,524 trees were cut down. For every tree cut down, it was planned to plant three new seedlings.
As of 2021, 1,525 seedlings have been planted, with plans to plant another 1,000 trees, despite problems with theft and damage to seedlings. Thus, the actual number of trees planted remained lower than planned.
There are no updated data on the number of trees planted for 2025. However, given the previous difficulties, it can be assumed that the greening process is ongoing.