The akim (mayor) of Kostanay, Marat Zhundubayev, has faced criticism after announcing plans to suspend gasification of allotment plots in the city. According to him, dacha houses are not intended for year-round habitation.
According to the Telegram channel "HALYQSTAN", in 2019, it became possible for citizens to register their place of residence in garden communities, which, in the akim's view, encouraged permanent living in dachas.
"This is wrong! People say they have nowhere else to live but their dacha. Well, then tomorrow people will start living in garage communities. And what if gas pipes start being laid to garages?" the akim stated.
These comments caused an uproar among Kostanay residents. On social media, citizens point out that comparing dacha communities to garages is incorrect, as the law does not provide for registration in garage cooperatives. Furthermore, they note that many families do indeed live in garden communities all year round due to the impossibility of buying housing within the city limits.
Zhundubayev also noted that the presence of electricity could lead to further demands for infrastructure development, including road asphalt paving.
Separately, the akim cited fire statistics in dacha areas and cases of fatalities, including children. However, city residents point out that the tragic examples given occurred in the residential sector. They also drew attention to the problem of untimely reed cutting, which, in their opinion, increases fire risks.
Despite the criticism, the akimat states its intention to work on the issue of "finding a possibility to ban the gasification of dacha communities". Meanwhile, residents note that issuing technical conditions for gas connection is a government service, and current legislation does not contain a direct ban on the gasification of garden houses.
Dacha owners also report that they have already incurred significant costs in preparation for gasification. In the event of a suspension or cancellation of previously issued technical conditions, they do not rule out going to court with lawsuits for damages.