Overview
- The Environment Ministry, which met Tuesday with Ulaanbaatar officials and the Chinese‑funded contractor, paused all work until a yearly environmental management plan is drafted and approved.
- Inspectors said the builder began activity before meeting conditions in the approved detailed impact assessment, so the Environmental State Inspection is pursuing measures under state inspection law.
- The planned road spans 32 kilometers as a six‑lane corridor along the Tuul River, crossing four city districts where residents have raised concerns about water resources and forest protection.
- Baseline and detailed environmental studies were completed and approved in 2025, with officials calling for 14 follow‑up studies to limit harm to air, water, soil, biodiversity, waste handling, and cultural sites.
- The halt comes as the government also reopened bank accounts for about 12,100 tax‑debtor firms and 6,042 social‑insurance‑debtor entities this week, signaling tighter environmental oversight alongside business relief.