Ekrem İmamoğlu: Our metro projects have faced obstacles

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu inspected the "Phase 1 TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) Progress" on-site with workers involved in the tunneling operations of the Mahmutbey-Bahçeşehir-Esenyurt Metro Line. The event, held at the Mahmutbey Regional Park Station construction site, was also attended by Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çankaya, Küçükçekmece Mayor Kemal Çebi, and Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer. The event began with an informative speech by IMM Deputy Secretary General Pelin Alpkökin.

"METRO CONNECTION WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO THE WEST OF ISTANBUL FOR THE FIRST TIME"

Stating that the Mahmutbey-Bahçeşehir-Esenyurt Metro Line is of great importance for the western side of Istanbul, İmamoğlu said, "We are very happy with every stage of this line, which will establish a connection for the first time with the westernmost region of the European side, which has been neglected for many years. The metro story of this region is a process of almost 22-23 years. The first thing discussed was the Beylikdüzü-İncirli line, but no steps could be taken. This line will connect nearly 3.5 million of our people with the entire network of Istanbul." He emphasized that the 18.5-kilometer-long line, consisting of 11 stations, will add great value to the region.

"THE PROJECT HAD BECOME UNSUSTAINABLE IN THE PREVIOUS PERIOD"

Drawing attention to the importance of quality transportation for a city's peace, İmamoğlu said, "The previous period of the Mahmutbey-Bahçeşehir-Esenyurt metro was in an unsustainable state. In the project tendered in 2017, not even a construction site had been established when we took office. No steps could be taken because no budget had been allocated. We started the process with great difficulty after taking it over."

İmamoğlu stated that progress in the first phase of the line has reached the 45 percent level, adding, "Today, the TBM working on Line 1 has reached the Regional Park Station. This line is an important step toward solving Istanbul's transportation-related problems."

"METRO AND RAIL SYSTEMS ARE A NATIONAL ISSUE"

Emphasizing that metro projects should not be used as tools for political issues, İmamoğlu said, "Metro and rail systems are a national issue. Decisions to be made on this matter should not be used as tools for daily political interests. The obstruction of the Sefaköy-Küçükçekmece-Avcılar-Beylikdüzü-Büyükçekmece-TÜYAP Metro deeply saddens us." Stating that the failure to approve the project victimizes the local people, İmamoğlu expressed his criticism by saying, "Why don't they sign this? What is this political hostility? We need administrators who come to their senses."

İmamoğlu emphasized that they are rapidly continuing metro and infrastructure investments for the future of Istanbul and will continue to serve by focusing on the needs of the public.