Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 10:08 The city will become the third of national significance in 2026. Relocating the capital to Jalal-Abad region could have a positive impact on the congestion of the current capital. Bishkek is now overpopulated, which is evident from worsening traffic jams, uncontrolled construction, water supply shortages, and other issues, said economist Iskender Sharsheev in an interview with Vesti.kg. “The city is developing and expanding. The authorities have many projects aimed at attracting investors — some have already been implemented. Bishkek is gradually expanding both westward and eastward. These same resources could be redirected to the Jalal-Abad region for the development of Manas. Organizationally, this is difficult, but if there is political will, it can be done,” he said. The expert believes that transferring part of Bishkek’s functions to Manas would ease the load on the capital. “I think the capital could be relieved. We now see traffic jams, a ...