İmamoğlu arrested, government revives Kanal İstanbul project

The Kanal Istanbul Project, which has caused significant public debate and faced criticism due to its high cost, has regained momentum following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The extensive tenders carried out by TOKİ along the project route have drawn attention.

BİRGÜN: 45.2 BILLION LIRA HOUSING TENDER AWARDED

According to a report featured on the front page of the BirGün newspaper, a total of 23 tenders were held between March 17 and April 15, 2025.

It has emerged that contracts were signed within the scope of these tenders, resulting in an expenditure of 45 billion 242 million TL. Under the projects, it is planned to build 24,160 residences, 1,121 workplaces, seven mosques, and six schools along the banks of the Sazlıdere Dam.

DETAILS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM

According to information in the Presidential Investment Program, the investment cost of Kanal Istanbul has increased significantly each year. In 2016, the total project cost was set at 5 billion 380 million TL. However, investment budgets have multiplied in subsequent years:

2017: 5 billion 767 million TL was allocated for connecting roads. However, only 2 million 724 thousand TL was spent during that year.

2019: 7 billion 217 million TL

2020: 7 billion 845 million TL

2021: 8 billion 629 million TL

2022: 9 billion 751 million TL

2023: 12 billion 871 million TL

2024: 19 billion 50 million TL

2025: 24 billion 896 million TL

ARE HOUSING INVESTMENTS A NEW PHASE OF THE PROJECT?

The structures tendered by TOKİ have also strengthened claims that permanent residential areas will be established along the Kanal Istanbul route.