In Mongolia, characterized by extreme climatic conditions, winter brings various challenges such as pipe bursts, fuel shortages, and increased slippery conditions. One of the most common issues faced by residential households is the damage to hot and cold water pipelines. As usual, starting in May, hot water supply to apartments is limited to facilitate necessary repairs, with the goal of completing these repairs before the heating season begins. However, this year, some areas have yet to finish their repairs and maintenance. Experts consistently point out that the underground infrastructure—essentially an underground “city” of engineering networks—faces severe conditions, which are not immediately visible.

In Ulaanbaatar City, the thermal pipeline network spans over 390 kilometers, most of which are 30 to 60 years old. As the number of residential units, businesses, and organizations in the capital city continues to grow each year, so too does the demand for heating. This has necessitated the expansion of the pipeline network. This year, there are plans to renovate 15.6 kilometers of thermal main pipelines across 18 locations. Repairs and upgrades began in July; however, work at two specific sites remains incomplete, with no clear timeline for their completion.

In particular, the renovation of the thermal pipeline from the front of “Technical Import” company to the intersection near the 25th pharmacy is still ongoing in the Bayangol District. Officials have stated that delays are due to the irresponsible actions of one contractor. In addition, the renovation of the thermal pipeline from the Mongolian State Academic Drama Theatre to the “Songdo” hospital in Sukhbaatar District is also continuing. The pipeline renovation from 10th khoroolol to the 25th pharmacy is being carried out by “Icon Consulting” company under the orders of the Investment Department of the capital city, while the renovation of the pipeline from the Mongolian State Academic Drama Theatre to the “Songdo” hospital is managed by “Rutan” company under the Ministry of Energy’s directives.

Authorities and contractors announced that they would complete the thermal pipeline work and backfill the excavated areas by September 15. However, numerous open trenches remain surrounded by green fencing. Households, kindergartens, and schools were expected to receive heating starting September 15, but residents in these areas have been residing without hot water for three months of summer, with no clear indication of when heating will be restored. Consequently, there is a pressing need to clarify when the renovation work on the pipeline network will be completed and how households, businesses, and organizations can ensure adequate heating and hot water for the winter ahead.

Electric heaters installed to keep children warm

The renovation of a 900-meter dual pipeline from theMongolian State Academic Drama Theatre to the “Songdo” hospital, located on Jamiyan Gun’s Street in Sukhbaatar District, commenced last July. This pipeline, which has been supplying thermal energy to residents in Sukhbaatar District’s first, sixth, and eight khoroos, was first put into operation in 1959. Due to the lack of repairs and updates since then, it has exceeded its lifespan significantly. Therefore, the diameter of the existing 350 mm pipelines is being expanded to 500 mm each. As part of this renovation, hot water supply to households in the area has been cut off since May 15, yet it has not yet been restored. This area is home to several medical facilities, kindergartens, and schools, making the situation particularly pressing.

One such establishment is kindergarten No. 16 in the above-mentioned district. Upon entering, a teaching assistant greets the children with, “Did you sleep well? Are you dressed warmly?” Parents have made sure their children are bundled up to prevent them from getting cold. Many of the children are seen wearing felt slippers, a traditional form of footwear that helps them stay warm. When inquiring about how they are managing without heating and hot water, the assistant explained, “We heard that the heating and hot water issues will be resolved by October. Officials have not provided a concrete answer. We remind parents to dress their children warmly. In addition, to keep the kids from getting cold, we’ve placed electric heaters in the classrooms. Most of the children at our kindergarten live nearby, which helps.”

In a discussion with P.Byambabaatar, the director of the contracting company “Rutan”, he shared insights on the project’s timeline. “When we initially signed the contract with the Ministry of Energy, we planned to fully renovate the pipeline network within 120 days, from May 15 to September 15. However, the work was halted due to the parliamentary elections just as we were about to begin. We officially restarted on July 15. Based on our initial timeline, we should not exceed the deadline; however, given that the rights of thousands of users are at stake, we are working as quickly as possible.” “Currently, the renovation of the pipeline network is 80 percent complete. We aim to finish everything by October 1. However, we will leave a 180-meter section to be updated next year. This delay is necessary because replacing the pipes in that area requires the excavation of four major roads”, stated by the director. 

The challenges presented by this situation highlight the critical importance of infrastructure maintenance and the need for timely updates, particularly as winter approaches. The efforts being made to ensure that children in the kindergarten and surrounding areas remain warm and healthy are commendable, yet the underlying issues must be addressed to prevent such inconveniences in the future.

As communities await the restoration of essential services, the resolve to find immediate solutions—like the installation of electric heaters—demonstrates a proactive approach in safeguarding the well-being of the youngest members of society. The situation serves as a reminder of the fragility of essential services and the vital role of infrastructure in supporting the daily lives of residents, especially during harsh winter months.

However, with the new academic year starting, the closure of major roads will undoubtedly lead to increased traffic congestion in the capital city. One of the primary reasons for the delays in the repair and renovation of the pipeline network is the presence of numerous pipes that were not included in the existing database. For example, an old hot water supply line was discovered around Chinggis Avenue. Identifying such undocumented pipelines and meticulously addressing each one has proven to be a time-consuming process.

Delayed renovations due to lack of funding 

In the vicinity of the 10th khoroolol, there is a pipeline network that serves over 30,000 consumers with heat. This network is part of the 8A main pipeline, which undergoes regular maintenance and repairs every year as part of the winter preparation efforts. The last significant replacement of pipes in this area occurred in the fall of 2021. At that time, officials stated, “If we execute the current thermal pipeline project well, we should be able to avoid issues for the next five to 10 years.” However, just three years later, the entire system had to be replaced again, leaving over 30,000 consumers without hot water during this summer.

The area from the 10th khoroolol to the 25th pharmacy has been extensively excavated, with piles of soil accumulated in several locations. At the site, some workers were seen transporting steel pipes using cranes, while others assisted in lifting the pipes into position in the excavated sections. The old, corroded steel pipes were being carefully stacked and relocated using heavy machinery, highlighting the complexity and labor intensity of the operation.

When we inquired with the Urban Planning Division of the Ulaanbaatar Mayor’s Office about when the pipeline network renovation would be completed and the reasons for the delays, they reported, “Out of the six contractors selected through the tender process, five are currently operating at 70 percent completion. Unfortunately, due to the negligence of one contractor, 30,000 consumers have been adversely affected. As a result, we have been unable to proceed with the final surface pavement.”

Moreover, as mentioned earlier, the renovation of the pipeline from the 10th khoroolol to the 25th pharmacy is being overseen by the “Icon Consulting” company. Upon inquiring with the company, they stated, “We commenced the work on updating the thermal pipeline network on July 15. According to the contract, the deadline has not yet arrived. To carry out this project, we secured a loan of over 1 billion MNT for materials and labor costs. However, the lack of funding has delayed the renovation of the pipes. If we can resolve the financing issues, we plan to complete the work by October 1. The section we are renovating supplies hot water to 30,000 consumers.” 

The company also reported, “We also plan to install associated fittings, silicone, and pipe equipment, as well as a thermal well according to standard specifications. Every summer, residents express frustration over the disruptions caused by the thermal pipeline repairs, which lead to a cutoff of hot water for households. However, if the outdated and aging thermal network is not replaced, we could face severe issues during the winter, including prolonged heating outages, lack of hot water, and even the risk of catastrophic failures in the main pipeline due to localized damage.” 

One resident of the “Golden Park” complex located in Bayangol District, G.Enkhchimeg, shared her experiences, “We were without hot water all summer. I’ve had to go to my mother’s house just to wash clothes and take a shower. We were supposed to have heating by September 15, but we still don’t have hot running water or heating. Recently, the cold has intensified, and it’s expected to get even colder. To keep my children warm, I’ve been dressing them in double-layered socks and thick clothing.” Shen then continued, “Just the other day, my youngest son caught a cold after I sent him to kindergarten; he came home with a runny nose. In fact, many kids in his class have fallen ill. The teachers are quite exhausted from it all. Ideally, if we had hot water and heating at home, I would prefer to take care of my son myself. When I ask the relevant authorities about when the thermal pipeline renovation will be completed, I only receive vague responses suggesting it will be done soon.”

Therefore, this situation underscores the pressing challenges faced by urban infrastructure projects in Ulaanbaatar, particularly during the transitional periods of seasonal change. The delays not only disrupt daily life for thousands of residents but also raise concerns about the reliability and efficiency of essential services in the capital city.

The anticipation of winter looms as residents seek assurances that the necessary improvements will be made in time to ensure adequate heating and hot water supply. The struggle to manage and maintain aging infrastructure, combined with the bureaucratic and logistical hurdles that come with large-scale renovation projects, illustrates the broader issues of urban planning and resource allocation in a rapidly growing city.

As the work continues, the collective hope is that these renovations will ultimately lead to a more reliable and robust pipeline network, capable of meeting the demands of an increasing urban population, especially during the harsh winter months. The efforts of workers on the ground, as they navigate the complexities of the task, are commendable; yet, the pressing need for systemic improvements and accountability remains a priority.