Kazakhstan is
undergoing road repair works on 12,000 kilometers, with 7,000 kilometers set to
be completed by year-end, as announced by Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev
at a government meeting. The ministry plans to reclassify a number of roads to
first and second categories to enhance safety. To this end, four-lane traffic
has been organised on certain sections, with the installation of special lanes,
road signs, buffers, and lighting. Detours and pedestrian
overpasses have also been built.
«The requirements for road construction have
been revised, with the reconstruction of all new projects now split into two
stages. The first involves building a new road alongside the existing one,
while the second focuses on repairing the existing road. Before starting
construction, a road safety audit will be conducted in line with international
standards, which will help identify high-risk areas and guide decision-making,»
Karabayev said.
Issues regarding
safety measures during the fire season were also discussed. This is especially
pertinent as Kazhydromet forecasts extreme fire danger until the end of summer.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed preventive measures against natural
fires. A response and interaction algorithm has been developed, and legislative
amendments are being introduced. However, some issues related to the material
and technical equipment of forest institutions and digital fire monitoring
remain unresolved. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov directed ministries and local
authorities to intensify efforts to combat forest fires.
«Digital response systems should be actively applied
in this work. The widespread use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is
essential, as they enable comprehensive aerial surveys of forests and steppes.
Overall, UAVs have significant potential across various sectors of the economy.
Therefore, the Kazakh Ministry of Industry should consider establishing drone
production facilities in the country,» Bektenov noted.
