Kazakh-Uzbek Border Passings Reportedly at Gridlock - Gazeta.uz

A multi-kilometer line of vehicles has built up on the Kazakh-Uzbek border, Orda.kz reports, citing Gazeta.uz.

Drivers say they have waited for over 24 hours in traffic.

According to witnesses, people on the Kazakh side are demanding payment in exchange for faster passage through the checkpoint.

On the Kazakh side, there are people who promise to take you across the border for 5, 10, or even 15 thousand rubles. It's outrageous, but what can you do? Some people just can't stand it and pay,said Igor Aipkin, a resident of Uzbekistan. 

Dozens of cars with Tajik license plates are among those stuck in the line. Many travelers are using Uzbekistan as a transit route, but movement has come to a halt.

With the Eid holiday approaching, many are trying to return home.

Galina Nikitina, another resident of Uzbekistan, said she was unable to tolerate the hours-long wait and chose to cross the border on foot. Her husband attempted to pass through the Yallama checkpoint (from the Kazakhstan side, B. Konysbaev), but conditions there were no better.

There is a queue of 150 cars. Many of them are those who left Kaplanbek in the hope of a better situation. In eight hours, only nine cars entered the territory of Uzbekistan. And here, too, there are people who bring cars for money,she said. 

Uzbekistan's Customs Committee told Gazeta.uz that it is not creating any artificial obstacles to border crossing. Committee spokesperson Khusen Tangriev said checkpoints are functioning as usual.

The Kazakh and Uzbek authorities have been discussing steps to increase capacity and open additional traffic lanes.

Orda.kz is awaiting a response from the Border Service of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee.

Original Author: Dinara Bekbolayeva