Doing this on the roads during rush hour will be prohibited in Astana
Tengrinews.kz — Astana is considering new regulations for street cleaning. The proposal was reviewed during a meeting of the capital's Public Council.
New road restrictions
The proposed rules suggest banning mechanized road cleaning during daytime rush hours. Additionally, specialized vehicles will be prohibited from watering roadside greenery during the day; watering will instead follow an approved schedule.
Furthermore, contractors will be held financially liable for the integrity of paving stones, greenery, street furniture, and lighting. Other proposed rules include:
A ban on heavy machinery weighing over 3.5 tons entering sidewalks, pedestrian zones, and bus stops with paved surfaces.
Mandatory manual snow removal for playgrounds and sports areas during winter.
A prohibition on chipping ice off paving stones and removing or hauling snow away from lawns.
The regulations are currently under discussion. To take effect, they must be reviewed and approved by the Astana Maslikhat deputies and subsequent authorities.
Why this is an issue
In Astana, cleaning equipment sometimes causes additional inconvenience for drivers during rush hours. These vehicles can occupy lanes, slow down traffic, and create congestion, particularly on busy road segments.
Notably, during a Maslikhat meeting this February, Deputy Talgat Dyusekov proposed a different approach to snow and ice removal in public spaces. He argued that it is not necessary to clear sidewalks down to the asphalt or paving stones; clearing narrow paths for pedestrians would suffice. According to Dyusekov, this approach would save budget funds and preserve the road surface.
