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Concerns have been raised among Astana residents regarding the felling of trees along the new LRT route towards Kosshy. A local resident noticed the trees being cut down near the Kazakh National University of Sports, along the Karkaraly highway, drawing public attention to the environmental impact of the construction.

Construction Site Developments

Journalists visiting the site confirmed the presence of felled trees near the construction zone for the future LRT supports. The new section of Astana's LRT is under active development, with the pouring of the first support having commenced just two weeks prior. The construction area is bustling with workers, specialized equipment, materials, and pre-fabricated supports for the upcoming elevated track.

Tree Preservation Efforts

The process of removing the greenery was observed to be supervised, with some trees being uprooted and transported by trucks. In response to the public's concerns, City Transportation Systems (CTS), the operator of Astana LRT, provided clarification. They stated that preparations are underway for the second phase of the LRT project, which involves the relocation of trees and shrubs identified within the designated area for new LRT stations and infrastructure. A total of 2,246 green plantings have been identified for relocation.

CTS has pledged to move these trees to nearby plots, aiming to preserve the city's landscape and greenery. Furthermore, the company has committed to planting 10 new trees for every damaged one. CTS assured that all environmental regulations and Kazakh legislation would be strictly adhered to during the construction process, with no unnecessary work being conducted.

LRT Operations Begin

On May 16th, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially launched the Astana LRT. He took the inaugural ride from the "Airport" station to the "National Museum" station. Each LRT carriage is designed to carry over 600 passengers. A total of 15 driverless trains will operate on the 22.4-kilometer line, with 4 additional trains in reserve.

Astana residents have also begun using the new public transport. On the first day, some citizens celebrated the occasion by wearing traditional attire, creating a festive atmosphere. Passengers were seen singing the national anthem and performing a traditional scattering ritual (shashu) inside the carriages, sharing their joy.

Operational Challenges and Ridership

The initial days of operation also saw some emergency stops, which CTS attributed to passenger behavior. Some individuals reportedly misused the emergency brake or interfered with the train doors, disrupting the system's smooth functioning. Despite these initial challenges, the passenger flow in the first few days has exceeded the project's designed capacity. Approximately 100,000 people utilized the new mode of transport in the last 24 hours alone.

Previously, the head of CTS, Asylbek Duissebayev, announced plans to extend the LRT to the right bank, reaching the old train station. The company is currently seeking funding sources for this expansion.