New act in the Kanal Istanbul project: ISKI's demolition decision blocked by court

The social housing project that TOKİ began constructing in the Sazlıdere Dam basin in Istanbul has become a focal point of the judicial process.

İSKİ stated that the constructions in question were in violation of the "Water Basin Protection Regulation" and sent a demolition notice for four structures on May 27, 2025.

According to a report by Sözcü, the Istanbul 5th Administrative Court issued a stay of execution following an objection filed by TOKİ.

The Istanbul 5th Administrative Court had previously canceled the designation of the area as a reserve zone and the 1/100,000 scale environmental plan amendment regarding the Kanal İstanbul project, citing that these actions were taken "without the necessary scientific and technical analyses." Despite this, TOKİ had begun social housing construction around the Sazlıdere Dam.

İSKİ PREPARING TO CHALLENGE THE STAY OF EXECUTION

İSKİ lawyers held a meeting yesterday to evaluate the stay of execution decision granted upon TOKİ's application. The objection process will be initiated after the opinions prepared by the legal department are shared with the İSKİ management.

While there has been no official statement from the institution yet, it was stated that the public would be informed once the details are clarified.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES, CITIZENS REACT

Although the demolition order has been suspended, it was observed that construction site work is continuing, albeit at a slow pace. Local residents are reacting to the situation. A citizen who said, "They even tore down our chicken coop in the garden," expressed their grievances with the following words:

"Our children migrated to other places because of this. Livestock farming and agriculture have ended. When it comes to us, the law is applied immediately, but when it comes to luxury residences, everything stops. Are laws only for the poor?"