Protest in Kadıköy for Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci Train Stations

Following the news brought to the agenda by 12punto, a protest was held in Kadıköy against the transfer of the historic Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci train stations to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A crowd gathered at the call of the Haydarpaşa Solidarity for Society, City, and Environment and marched from Kadıköy Pier Square to Haydarpaşa Station.

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Protest in Kadıköy for Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci Train Stations

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

A protest was held in Kadıköy for the historic Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci train stations, which were transferred from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism last August. A crowd, gathered at the call of the Haydarpaşa Solidarity for Society, City, and Environment, marched from Kadıköy Pier Square to Haydarpaşa Station.

The march was attended by Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı, representatives from the CHP, TKP, SOL Party, DEM Party, and EMEP, as well as Mücella Yapıcı, who was released after being detained for a period as part of the Gezi Park trial, and numerous NGOs.

The press statement read by Tonguç Özkan, Chairman of the United Transport Workers' Union (BTS), included the following remarks:

“While the restoration and archaeological work of Haydarpaşa Station, carried out at a cost of millions, were expected to conclude and the station was expected to reunite with its trains and the public, the government has this time presented us with a project called a 'culture valley' on behalf of the cultural industry capital. Despite the fact that even TCDD's own directorates persistently stated the need for Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci stations as Istanbul's central train stations, Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci stations were transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for 29 years through a protocol signed by the TCDD management in August 2024. A lawsuit has been filed in the administrative court by the TMMOB Chamber of Architects Istanbul Metropolitan Branch and the United Transport Workers' Union for the stay of execution and cancellation of this protocol, which is considered unlawful and contrary to public interest.

"WE CALL ON EVERYONE WHO DEFENDS LIFE AGAINST DESTRUCTION TO JOIN THE STRUGGLE"

The insufficiency of the area left to the railways in the annex to the protocol, and this new draft transformation project, which was prepared behind closed doors and announced to the public by the Minister of Culture and Tourism in recent days, is nothing more than an effort to transform Sirkeci and Haydarpaşa stations into a cultural industry area that will serve a private elite, far from concerns for public interest and the public's right to transportation, just like in other projects. When these projects, which are being tried to be legitimized in the eyes of the public using all kinds of methods, are examined, it is clearly understood that the use of the station as a main transportation hub will be pushed into the background with functions such as an archaeo-park, museum, biennial, public garden, and performing arts center.

We call on everyone who defends life against destruction, all advocates of the right to the city, railway workers, architects, women, laborers, students, academics, artists, and activists to protect the railway function of Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci stations."

KADIKÖY MAYOR: I DO NOT KNOW WHAT KIND OF BARGAINING IS GOING ON REGARDING THIS PLACE

Among those attending the protest was Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı. In his speech, Kösedağı noted that he had no knowledge of any of the developments regarding Haydarpaşa Station. Kösedağı stated, "Let Haydarpaşa remain a station; this is our concern. I am calling out to the Minister; I am the mayor of this place, but I do not know what kind of bargaining is going on regarding this place right now. We cannot manage a district like this. There is the memory of a nation here. Call the relevant stakeholders, call us, and let's sit down and talk. Tell us what you want to do here, let us know. Let's create the future of Haydarpaşa together with all stakeholders related to Kadıköy. Haydarpaşa is not a place that can be planned and assigned functions behind closed doors. Haydarpaşa is a station, and it will remain a station," he said.

12PUNTO HAD BROUGHT GÜLER SABANCI'S VISIT TO HAYDARPAŞA STATION TO THE AGENDA

The historic Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci stations were transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in exchange for 80.5 billion liras with a preliminary protocol signed by the Ministry of Transport last August. It was learned that the protocol covers not only the historic station buildings but also the basins connected to the buildings.

The transfer of Haydarpaşa Station to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism also means the transfer of the structure and football field belonging to the Demirspor Club, various restaurants and kiosks in the surrounding area, and the lodgings where railway workers stay.

The new developments regarding Haydarpaşa Station took on a different dimension after 12Punto revealed that Sabancı Holding Chairperson Güler Sabancı had visited the station last July accompanied by British investors. The photograph brought to mind the question, 'Will a new Galataport project be carried out by the Sabancıs at the 'Haydarpaşa Station', which was transferred from the Ministry of Transport to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism?'

RESPONSE FROM GÜLER SABANCI TO 12PUNTO

Following our report, a statement regarding that photograph came from Sabancı Holding Chairperson Güler Sabancı. The written statement sent stated that "there are no project plans of any kind."

SHE DID NOT EXPLAIN WHY SHE WAS THERE

The statement from Güler Sabancı indicated that they would not be carrying out a project, but no explanation was provided as to why she was at Haydarpaşa Station with the British investors accompanying her, or what she was sharing with the investors using the files in her hand in the photograph in question.

News Source: 12punto