In the Turkistan region, of the five automated measurement stations (AMS) put into operation, two have failed: one was set on fire, and on the other the transformer and cables of the weighing sensors were damaged. The damage from the arson was estimated at 20.6 million tenge, while the cost of restoring the second station is yet to be determined.
WHAT THE DEPARTMENT SAID IN RESPONSE
Earlier, the FBK editorial office received video recordings showing damaged, looted and burned AMS on regional roads. In response to the editorial office's request, the Department of Passenger Transport and Highways of the Turkistan Region reported on the condition of the weight control stations.
Seven sites for installing AMS were identified in the region. Five stations have been put into operation, but two of them are already out of service due to damage.
HOW MUCH THE DAMAGED EQUIPMENT COSTS
On the KH-8 "Border of the Republic of Uzbekistan — Shardara — Temirlan — M-32" highway, at the 208th kilometre, the station stopped working on 6 October 2026 after the equipment was set on fire. The department estimated the damage at 20.6 million tenge.
On the KH-92 "Arys — Montaitas" highway, at the 38th kilometre, the station has been temporarily out of service since 13 August 2026. The transformer and cables of the weighing sensors were damaged there. The amount of damage and the cost of restoration work are yet to be determined.
WHERE THE STATIONS OPERATE AND WHERE NEW ONES WILL BE INSTALLED
In addition to the two damaged facilities, the department listed the operating stations on the KH-3 "Koksayek — Aksu — Shayan — Mynbulak — M-32" highway — in the area of the settlements of Karamurt and Aksukent, as well as on the district road KHSR-16 in the settlement of Aiteke bi.
Funding has been allocated for the installation of two more AMS in 2026–2027. One station will be located on the KH-8 highway at the 238th kilometre, and the second — on the KH-63 "Badam — Shubar — Akkoily — Kutarys — Karabulak — Tyulkubas station" road at the 5th kilometre.
WHY LORRIES CONTINUE TO BYPASS WEIGHT CONTROL
According to the department, measures against bypassing via the verge are provided at sections with installed stations: wheel-guard beams, blocks, road markings and "Sergek" cameras. At the same time, the agency acknowledges that lorry drivers use alternative routes along national roads and approaches to cities of national significance.
In addition, drivers remove or dirty their number plates, cross the solid marking line, and also transfer inert materials into heavy lorries after passing the AMS while complying with the standard weight.
HOW THINGS STAND WITH THE INSTALLATION OF AMS ACROSS KAZAKHSTAN
The agency referred to an instruction from the Presidential Administration, according to which the installation of 220 stations was to be completed by 1 September 2026. Of that number, 150 facilities fell to the Ministry of Industry and Construction, and another 70 — to JSC "NC "QazAvtoZhol".
However, at the time the response was prepared, 83 AMS had been installed in Kazakhstan: 47 on national roads and 36 on regional roads. The department attributes the continuing violations to incomplete coverage of the road network by weight control stations.
CONTEXT
In January 2026, FBK examined the operation of AMS in detail. An analysis of documents, official responses from state bodies and statistics showed that after the launch of automatic issuance of rulings through the Unified Register of Administrative Proceedings (URAP), prosecutor's offices began reviewing some of the administrative proceedings related to the operation of individual AMS.
On the night of 28 August, unknown persons set fire to an AMS station on the Astana - Karaganda highway, and the camera at that section, according to police, was not working. The arson occurred against the backdrop of the Gani Salmaev case and the cancellation of fines for overloading amounting to more than 40 million tenge.
At the same time, cement tanker drivers openly bypass weight control posts in the Zhetysu region. In the Kerbulak district, lorries were caught on video, among which were vehicles bearing the logo of JSC "NC "QazAvtoZhol". The company stated that the violations had been rectified, but later a new video recording appeared showing another bypass.
