The International Development Association (IDA) is set to provide a substantial loan of $50 mn to Kyrgyzstan to enhance the country’s air quality. This initiative is part of a broader project that includes a series of technical measures designed to mitigate air pollution in the capital.
One of the key components of this project is the transition to cleaner and more energy-efficient residential heating technologies. The project also encompasses the implementation of greening measures in targeted areas.
A significant portion of the funding will be allocated towards the establishment of a state-of-the-art laboratory in Bishkek for the analysis of atmospheric air pollution. The project budget includes an allocation of $650,000 for the procurement of equipment and mobile laboratories for waste monitoring and analysis.
The proposed allocation of funds has sparked a debate. Deputy Maqsatbek Sarbagishev has suggested that the funds could be better utilized for the gasification of the capital. He expressed concerns about the city’s ranking as one of the most polluted cities and advocated for the use of the loan for gas provision.
The project is a part of the Kyrgyz government’s 2021-2023 plan for reducing air pollution in the country. The strategies listed in the plan include improving urban planning, developing and preserving green areas, taking action on the new landfill project, and improving methods for supplying heating.
The final decision on the allocation of the funds is yet to be made, and it remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed in the final implementation of the project.
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