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Residents of Talgars, a town located just 30 kilometers from Almaty, are grappling with a daily reality of extensive traffic jams that significantly eat into their time and disrupt their lives. Many Talgars inhabitants rely on Almaty for employment, but the short distance belies a challenging commute that can stretch for hours.

The Talgars Road: A Bottleneck of Time and Traffic

Talgars, home to over 65,000 people, sees a significant portion of its workforce commuting to Almaty. The primary culprit behind the lengthy travel times, often ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours, is the aging, two-lane Talgars highway. Despite years of discussions, a plan to widen sections of the road to six lanes by 2026 was recently re-announced, acknowledging the substantial increase in traffic volume.

Life in Talgars

Talgars is characterized by its serene, mountainous setting and a prevalence of private homes. However, the town faces a shortage of public spaces and recreational facilities. For the younger generation, the aspiration often lies in pursuing higher education in Almaty, as Talgars lacks universities and limited entertainment options. Many adults also relocate to Talgars due to the unaffordability of housing in Almaty, finding the town's cleaner air, natural beauty, and quieter lifestyle appealing.

The Daily Commute: A Constant Battle

For Talgars residents, the road is the most pressing issue. The necessity of spending several hours daily in traffic forces them to meticulously plan their lives around these delays. Several residents report needing to wake as early as 4 or 5 AM to begin their commute by 5:30 AM to reach their workplaces in Almaty.

Local Elections Take a Backseat

The recent local mayoral election held in April did not generate the same level of concern among residents as the daily traffic problems. Voter turnout was notably low, with just over 10,000 out of more than 43,000 registered voters participating. Adilhan Nurkhan, representing the 'Amanat' party, emerged victorious in the election.

Talgars' Enduring Appeal

Despite the traffic woes and limited amenities, many residents are not eager to leave Talgars. Its proximity to Almaty, combined with its natural environment, fresh air, tranquility, and relatively affordable living costs, continues to make it an attractive place to reside.

This is reported by the Infohub.kz information agency.