Almaty is discussing the possibility of extending its low-emission zone (LEZ) to cover the entire city. The project currently operates only as a test on a small section in the center, but it could be expanded once the pilot ends, infohub.kz reports.
The pilot project was launched in April and is planned to run until the end of the year. For now, drivers are not required to undergo vehicle inspections, pay entry fees, or comply with any traffic restrictions. However, once the pilot is over, the rules may become stricter.
Yerlan Buzurbayev, head of the working group drafting Almaty's air protection rules, proposed considering an option under which such a zone would cover the entire city.
"The mere entry into force of the relevant norms does not mean restrictions will automatically begin to apply. For the LEZ to become a permanent regime, a separate decree from the Almaty city akimat establishing the boundaries of the low-emission zone is required. Until that decree is adopted, the current boundaries are used exclusively for the purposes of the pilot project," the expert explained.
On the one hand, the LEZ could help reduce transport emissions. On the other, for a city with a large number of older cars, it could mean additional costs for owners and restrictions on vehicle use, including for those who drive into Almaty from the region every day.
Earlier, Kursiv LifeStyle reported that Almaty had begun installing warnings for drivers entering the LEZ.