The Ministry of Transport reported that in 2024, it is planned to spend 28.4 billion tenge from the republican budget on the construction of the LRT.
According to zakon.kz, in 2023, 52.4 billion tenge was allocated for the continuation of LRT construction. The following were carried out:
- work on pile supports, 96% complete;
- work on erecting the supports themselves, 76% complete;
- assembly of structures, 82% complete.
At the same time, the Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, stated that the allocation of around 45 billion tenge was being considered for the continuation of the project's construction in 2024. However, a different figure is already being announced today.
"For the current year, 28.4 billion tenge has been earmarked. These funds are planned for work on the manufacture of rails, rolling stock, power supply equipment, station water supply equipment, drainage, fire safety, ventilation and air conditioning, etc." – the Ministry of Transport reported.
It is worth noting that the history of the construction of the capital's LRT has been accompanied by numerous scandals and contradictory statements. As a reminder, the erection of the first LRT supports in Astana began back in 2017.
According to 24.kz, in 2019, only 15% of construction and installation work on the project had been completed. Overall, a consortium of Chinese companies provided services worth $313 million, of which only $86 million has been paid. Thus, the debt to the contractors amounted to $203 million.
In 2021, seven defendants were convicted in a case regarding embezzlement during the implementation of the 'Astana LRT' project. The former Deputy Akim of the capital, Kanat Sultanbekov, and the former head of the company 'Astana LRT', Talgat Ardan, were placed on an international wanted list.
In September 2022, the former Akim of Astana, Altai Kulginov, stated that Chinese partners were ready to complete the Astana LRT in two years, provided there was continuous funding. The discussion at that time involved $577 million for the entire project. He reported that 4 billion tenge annually would be required for the technical maintenance of the LRT.
In April 2023, the Akim of Astana, Zhenis Kassymbek, announced the resumption of construction work. Over 50 billion tenge was even allocated for this. At the same time, it was assured that no less than 200 billion would be needed to complete the entire project.
And in November 2023, the Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, even stated that it was planned to request 150 billion tenge annually for the LRT project. He also confirmed the likelihood of financing this 'long-running' project from the National Fund.