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Residents of Astana are increasingly frustrated by malfunctioning streetlights, particularly in newer neighborhoods and the city's outskirts. The lack of adequate lighting on streets, in courtyards, and along pedestrian paths has become a significant concern, prompting an investigation into how local authorities are addressing the issue.

Nura District Addresses Lighting Complaints

The administration of the Nura district confirmed that it receives a steady stream of complaints regarding street lighting through the iKomek 109 service and social media. While specific numbers of complaints since the beginning of 2026 were not publicly disclosed, the administration noted that issues are most prevalent in residential areas on the city's periphery, within courtyards, and in zones undergoing new construction or infrastructure development.

Specialized contracting organizations are responsible for the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of street lighting. Repairs are conducted both on a planned basis and in response to resident requests or emergency situations. Dedicated repair crews work an extended second shift daily to address immediate needs.

Esil District Tackles Problematic Streets

In the Esil district, less than 15 percent of streetlights are currently reported as non-operational. The district administration stated that repair and lamp replacement work is carried out continuously. However, several key streets in the capital have identified problem areas.

The primary cause for these outages is attributed to the aging of cable lines, some of which have been in service for over a decade. Emergency situations and faulty lamps are addressed promptly, with daily inspections and maintenance of the lighting systems ensuring ongoing functionality.

Lighting Improvement Plans Across Districts

Looking ahead, the installation of additional lighting poles is planned for the "Prigorodny" residential area in 2026, specifically along the route from the "Aspan" sports complex to the "Aspan Park" residential complex.

The Saryarka district has received over 1,000 complaints related to street lighting since the start of 2026. While actions have been taken on reported malfunctions, the district identified 17 out of 330 streets as not fully illuminated, with over 10 additional areas suffering from poor lighting. Addressing these requires the development of design and estimate documentation and significant construction work.

The Saryarka district administration has submitted a list of problem streets, including Enlik-Kebek, Zheruyik, Orlykol, and Suyunbay atyn kosh., to the relevant authorities. For urgent repairs not requiring extensive work, the resolution time is typically 1-3 business days. However, tasks involving cable replacement or more complex interventions can extend to 5-10 business days or longer. Despite these challenges, the administration assures that over 95 percent of all streets, courtyards, and public spaces have functioning lighting.

New lighting installations are scheduled for Saryarka in 2026, including areas in courtyards and specific street sections. Notable locations include the path to school-lyceum No. 40 named after A. Margulan on Ardagerler street, and the entrance to TAU University on Y. Dukenuly street. Additional lighting will also be installed in new public spaces on A. Ulimzhizuly and B. Seitova streets. As part of the Kénesary street renovation, cable lines and lighting poles have been updated.

Baikonur District Reports Progress

Between January 1 and May 20, 2026, the Baikonur district received 371 lighting-related requests through the iKomek system. Of these, 361 have been resolved, with 10 currently in progress. The district administration highlighted that many issues stem from aging electrical supply networks, citing specific problem areas on Pushkin Street and the Alash highway.

Two teams operate around the clock to inspect street lighting, with day shifts from 09:00 to 18:00 and night shifts from 19:00 to 07:00. Emergency situations are addressed immediately, and network maintenance is handled by a contracted organization.

New lighting is planned for public spaces in Baikonur in 2026, including squares near the "Tulpar" shopping center and the synagogue on Pushkin Street, as well as the intersection of Kenesary and Pushkin streets. New lighting poles will also be installed in several residential areas.

The Almaty district administration did not provide a response to Tengrinews.kz. District authorities emphasized that street lighting modernization is a phased process, linked to infrastructure upgrades and the development of project documentation.