The Astana LRT project is a light-rail transportation system that was to become the main platform of the Astana transportation system and unite all types of public transportation (*). The project became widely known both inside and outside Kazakhstan not only because of the controversial nature of the project idea, but also because of the numerous scandals that accompanied its implementation (*). People call the project as a monument of Kazakhstan corruption(*) .

The idea of building a light rail transit (LRT) system in the country’s capital has been discussed since the 2000s. Construction of the first branch began in 2011, but the completion date was repeatedly postponed. City Transportation Systems LLP (formerly Astana LRT LLP) received $344 million from the China Development Bank. However, problems then arose with the allocation of funds(*) . As a result, the authorities rejected the loan due to the high cost of the project and repaid the loan ahead of schedule. The Anti-Corruption Service conducted an audit of LRT construction costs and uncovered a scheme of large embezzlement. The project was frozen. To date, only 15% of the construction and installation work has been completed (*) . 500 elevated LRT supports installed (*) .