Queues and Chaos

Border crossings between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan faced severe congestion and delays in early June 2025, with hundreds of vehicles stranded—particularly on the Kazakh side—at checkpoints leading into Uzbekistan. Drivers reported being stuck in lines for more than 24 hours, enduring intense heat, a lack of basic amenities, and, in some cases, alleged extortion by Kazakh customs officers. Calls are mounting for urgent intervention by both governments.

The situation was exacerbated by increased travel ahead of Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bairam), which will be celebrated in Uzbekistan on June 6. The holiday traditionally brings a surge in cross-border movement, placing additional strain on border infrastructure. Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee noted that the congestion was also fueled by a spike in freight traffic at the Yallama and Kaplanbek crossings, following the closure of other checkpoints.

▫️The closure of the Zhibek Zholy–Gisht-Kuprik (Chernyayevka) crossing for renovations has significantly worsened the situation. One of the region’s most modern and heavily used checkpoints, Chernyayevka—located near Tashkent and Saryagash—normally operates 24/7 and handles vehicular, pedestrian, rail, and bus traffic. Its temporary shutdown has redirected flows primarily to the Kaplanbek–Navoi crossing.

Photo: Tengrinews.kz

The Kaplanbek–Navoi checkpoint is primarily intended for pedestrian use and operates only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., making it ill-suited to accommodate large volumes of vehicles. The Kazyghurt–Mayskiy crossing serves freight only, but its capacity falls far short of current demand. Other points, such as Yallama, are too far from Tashkent to effectively relieve the load. The Customs Committee said it has increased staffing at Yallama and implemented measures to speed up processing, though these steps have yet to yield significant results.

Drivers and analysts alike argue that current infrastructure is incapable of meeting demand—especially during peak travel periods such as holidays.

Similar issues are reported elsewhere along Kazakhstan’s borders: on the western frontier with Russia, a 10-kilometer line of freight trucks has formed, with long-haul drivers also waiting for days. These scenes highlight systemic shortcomings in the region’s border capacity.

Photo: Tengrinews.kz

Calls for the modernization of existing crossings and the construction of new ones are growing louder, as regional trade and population mobility between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan continue to rise. In March 2025, the presidents of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan discussed the need to upgrade border infrastructure and develop trade and logistics platforms to facilitate cross-border movement.

Authorities have yet to release an official response to the crisis, but drivers continue to demand swift action to reduce queues and improve border conditions.

The gridlock underscores a broader problem, driven by a combination of factors: the closure of the key Chernyayevka crossing, insufficient capacity at alternative checkpoints, and a spike in both freight and passenger traffic in the lead-up to the holiday. The situation calls for both short-term measures to optimize existing operations and long-term investment in regional border infrastructure.

Photo: Tengrinews.kz