Residents of several Kyrgyz villages still lack drinking water, MPs say

Members of Kyrgyzstan's Jogorku Kenesh raised drinking water supply problems in Batken, Jalal-Abad, Osh and Naryn regions during a parliamentary session on October 14. Deputy Yrysbek Atazhanov said the village of Kara-Zhantak, part of Kadamzhai city, has no drinking water. Officials said Kadamzhai's municipality is preparing a relevant project, and that about 14 km of pipeline from another source is planned to supply the village.

Deputy Raimberdi Duishenbiev reported water problems in the villages of Ak-Kyya and Chong-Tash in Kara-Kul city; the project is not yet included in plans for 2027. Deputy Ulanbek Jaanbaev criticised delays to drinking water projects in Nookat district of Osh region, saying some residents still draw water from open canals. Officials said 46 facilities are included in the district's list.

Deputy Prime Minister Erlist Akunbekov, deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, said the issue would be placed under control and that a reform of the drinking water sector is being prepared. He said around 800 of the country's roughly 2,000 villages have drinking water, and that meeting the 2030 target will be difficult at current rates.