Last year, 2 billion tenge was spent on this. The contractor in both cases was MServis KST LLP. Experts claim that the city streets are now at least 20% brighter.
According to Inbusiness.kz, this year the sum of 1.3 billion tenge was used to replace 1,288 poles and 2,891 lamps. In 2023, 1,970 poles and 5,269 lamps cost 2 billion tenge. In 2025, the city authorities plan to install a further 1,000 poles and 2,200 lamps.
This time, the authorities paid particular attention to lighting areas near schools and kindergartens, and replaced lighting poles on Kostanay's central and main thoroughfares.
"We are replacing reinforced concrete poles with metal ones for safety reasons and to create an aesthetic appearance. Work is also being carried out to install SIP (self-supporting insulated wire), relaying overhead power lines with armoured cable laid underground", noted the head of the city's Department of Housing and Communal Services, Passenger Transport and Roads, Azamat Begalin.
It has emerged that this year, lighting was switched off on two busy streets at once and only reconnected after all work in the city was completed. In response to residents' complaints, the city's dispatch service said that line reconstruction was underway.
For his part, the akim of Kostanay, Marat Zhundubayev, believes the city needs new suppliers. There are as yet no candidates from local companies, and according to him, the work of employees from out-of-town firms often has to be redone. At the same time, the head of MServis KST LLP, Murat Tyulyubayev, admitted that he hires subcontractors.
It has become known that the dismantled reinforced concrete poles could be used for lighting courtyards or approaches to the city's dacha plots. However, requests for pole installation are also coming from district akimats.
At the same time, it is reported that thanks to funds invested over two years, the city has managed to create a network with 50% dimmable lamps.
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For reference: dimmable lamps are light sources whose brightness can be controlled using a special device. A dimmer is used to change the light intensity.
"We can control the system remotely, we see emerging faults, rather than waiting for signals from residents. This system gives us control over energy consumption, and therefore savings", noted Murat Tyulyubayev.