Entry to certain areas of Almaty may become chargeable for non-eco-friendly vehicles.

According to the akim Yerbolat Dosaev, there may be zones in Almaty with restrictions on entry for vehicles that do not meet modern environmental standards, which will incur fees.

As an example, the city head cited New York - he stated that traffic in lower and upper Manhattan decreased after the introduction of entry fees.

"We anticipate that if the transport framework is established by the end of 2026, we will introduce the first restrictions starting in 2027. However, these will be based on fees.

"For instance, if a car is registered in Almaty but does not comply with modern standards, then entry into certain zones, such as the Eastern Bypass Road from the east, will likely be on a paid basis," explained the akim.

The mayor also noted that free access will be provided for electric vehicles and other cars that meet modern environmental standards.

It is worth mentioning that recently, during a meeting of the Public Council in Almaty, the proposal to reduce the number of old cars on the city roads and create restricted zones for vehicles was put forward.

Among the suggestions were the development of public transportation and the reduction of old cars on the roads of the megacity, as road transport is the primary air pollutant.

Recently, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov responded to a parliamentary inquiry regarding the improvement of the environmental situation in Almaty and identified the main causes of air pollution. According to him, calculations indicate that currently, road transport is the main air pollutant in Almaty, accounting for about 60% of emissions.