Traffic jams in Bishkek increase air pollution, Nurlan Sharsheyev, head of the regional department of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, said at a briefing.
He noted that road transport is a source of emissions such as nitrogen oxide and fine particles that enter the air at ground level and then the human respiratory system.
«It has been proven that a car emits the most pollutants at idle speed. That is, when we stand in traffic jams, cars emit more,» he said.
The official reminded that measures are being taken to provide citizens with public transport, for which gas-fueled buses have been purchased, dedicated lanes are being introduced.
«It creates inconvenience for some people; people do not want to leave the comfort zone. One family has several cars, and the car fleet is old. According to the latest data, there are more than 1.5 million registered motor vehicles in Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek accounts for more than 450,000,» he said.
According to him, solving the smog problem is not only a task for the authorities, but also for society itself. We should show our civic consciousness and switch to public transport, bicycles, walk and limit the use of personal cars. «The health of people, children is much more expensive than personal comfort,» he said.
Nurlan Sharsheev also reminded that by April 2024, the fleet of municipal enterprises will be replenished with 1,500 buses. «One bus, as you know, replaces four mini buses. If we take statistics, in September there were 1,000 mini buses running in the city. Each of them burned 20-40 liters of diesel fuel per day. According to my calculations, if they are removed, the amount of emissions per month will be reduced by an average of 68 tons, and during the heating season — by 408 tons,» he added.
