In the current year, 15.5 billion soms have been allocated from the republican budget for the construction of 668 facilities across the country. Currently, the construction of about 300 of them has been completed, and they are already in operation. The Minister of Construction, Architecture, and Housing and Communal Services, Nurdana Oruntaev, noted that this is a record achievement for the country.
In addition, the number of social infrastructure facilities has increased:
- 102 schools;
- 32 kindergartens;
- 11 medical institutions.
The remaining facilities cover various areas.
Control and Quality
Oruntaev also pointed out the high quality of the construction work being carried out.
“The established working groups and technical inspectors at construction sites ensure constant monitoring. The ministry has the ability to track each facility in real-time. Inspections can be conducted at any time if necessary. Each facility also has its own passport with important information, including:
- the name of the construction company;
- contractor details;
- technical and architectural characteristics of the project.
Previously, the ministry conducted inspections only on-site, but now all work is done in electronic format,” he added.
Responsibility and Licensing
Mamatziya Zholdoshov, chief specialist of the licensing and certification department of the ministry, reported on the current state of construction companies:
“Currently, 6,289 licenses have been issued for construction and design works. The number of construction companies varies, as some of them are blacklisted for non-compliance with requirements.”
Companies operating without a license face fines from the state department of architectural and construction control of the ministry, and their activities are suspended. Lawsuits are also filed. The list of companies on the blacklist is available on the official website of the ministry in the "Register of Issued Licenses" section,” he noted.
Seismic Resistance and Safety
Baiseen Kariev, deputy chairman of the Union of Architects, shared his opinion on the safety of construction facilities.
“The construction of 40-story buildings in the capital was previously discussed, which raised concerns among local residents: ‘such high-rise buildings may not withstand seismic loads.’ However, if the structure is done incorrectly, even a one-story building can collapse, while a properly built 100-story building can be stable,” he noted.
According to Kariev, the design process in construction is strictly regulated. First, the land use permit is considered, then geologists check the soil stability and prepare a conclusion. Based on this data, an architectural and structural project is developed. After verification by the ministry, the project is sent for expertise, and a construction permit is issued only with a positive conclusion.
Guarantees are provided only for facilities built in accordance with all norms and requirements. Construction that violates regulations is inspected, and their activities are halted.
Modern buildings are designed using computer calculations, the amount of reinforcement is increased, and stronger grades of concrete are used, ensuring high seismic resistance.
“When constructing, it is necessary to consider the Issyk-Ata tectonic fault located on the southern side of Bishkek. In some areas, construction is strictly prohibited. The central part of the capital is classified as an 8-point zone, while the northern, marshy area is considered a 9-point zone. The Institute of Seismology calculates the strength of earthquakes that may be felt in the city. Each region has its own seismic resistance maps, and construction is carried out in accordance with them,” Kariev added.
From time to time, questions arise in society regarding the quality of housing being built by the State Mortgage Company (GIK).
Minister Oruntaev commented on this situation as follows:
“The houses built through GIK are constructed using modern technologies with tunnel formwork. Such buildings are entirely made of concrete and reinforcement, without the use of bricks. These structures have high seismic resistance. It is important to note that the construction of mortgage houses is personally supervised by the head of state, so there should be no cause for concern. All facilities will be completed on time, and everyone interested will receive housing from GIK.”
