İmamoğlu arrested, government revives Kanal İstanbul project
Following the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Kanal İstanbul Project has gained momentum, with 45.2 billion TL in tenders awarded in just one month. More than 24 thousand residences, hundreds of workplaces, and public buildings will be constructed on the shores of the Sazlıdere Dam. Here are the details...
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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.