Will Haydarpaşa Station become the new Galataport? 'Exploratory tour' at Haydarpaşa by Güler Sabancı

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

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

The transfer of Haydarpaşa Station to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism means that along with the historic building, the structure and football field belonging to the Demirspor Club, various surrounding restaurants and kiosks, and the lodgings where railway workers reside are also being transferred.

‘VACATE WITHIN 7 DAYS’

For now, it has been learned that eviction notices have been sent only to the businesses and two lodgings covered by the preliminary protocol, ordering them to vacate the structures they occupy. The operators were asked to vacate the shops within 7 days. However, Harun Gökay, Istanbul Branch No. 1 President of the United Transport Employees' Union (BTS), from whom we sought comments on the matter, states that "the transfer to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is taking place in stages, and that there will be no lodgings left at the end of the process." According to Gökay, once the transfer process is complete, only the lodgings with historic monument status will remain, and these will be used solely as offices. All other lodging structures will be demolished.

EVICTION NOTICES SENT DESPITE LAWSUIT

The United Transport Employees' Union (BTS) has taken the matter to court. However, despite the lawsuit filed, eviction notices were still sent to two lodging buildings and numerous shops and businesses. Approximately 200-250 people live in 70 lodgings. There are also nearly 20 workplaces in the area rented out to third parties.

PROTOCOL SIGNED IN AUGUST, GÜLER SABANCI TOOK AN EXPLORATORY TOUR IN JULY

One of the most striking points regarding the process at Haydarpaşa Station was the visit made by Sabancı Holding Chairperson Güler Sabancı in July. It has emerged that Güler Sabancı visited Haydarpaşa Station last July with a group of British investors accompanying her.

This visit, which took place one month before the protocol between the two ministries was signed, brings to mind the question of ‘whether Haydarpaşa Station will go to the Sabancıs.’

CONTAINERS IN AN ASBESTOS-RIDDEN AREA FOR HOMELESS RAILWAY WORKERS!

Following the completion of the transfer process, it is envisioned that a container structure will be built for the railway workers left homeless. It is rumored that the railway workers will be placed in containers planned to be built as two-story structures.

However, the railway workers will not only be left homeless with this process. They will also begin to live under the threat of asbestos. This is because it is known that high levels of asbestos were previously detected in the area where the containers are planned to be installed.

BTS Istanbul Branch No. 1 President Harun Gökay spoke on the matter as follows:

“Approximately 70 lodgings will be vacated at Haydarpaşa. The railway workers living in the lodgings will be evicted. A two-story container structure is planned to be built. The employees will be moved there. However, the asbestos rate in the area where the container is planned to be built was found to be very high previously. That container will be built in the same area, and the railway workers will have to work in a 1.25-square-meter space allocated to them. Only the managers will have closed rooms. The rest will be transitioned to a working life in an open-office format.”

JOINT ACTION FROM UNIONS FOR HAYDARPAŞA: WE OPPOSE THE PRIVATIZATION PLUNDER

The unions, which are closely following the process, have created an action plan regarding the issue. The 5 components, one of which is a labor union and 4 of which are civil servant unions, will first organize signature campaigns at Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci on November 1, 3, and 4.

Afterwards, a joint press conference will be held with the Chamber of Architects on November 6. Following the actions to be carried out on social media on November 7-8, the crowd gathering in Kadıköy Square on November 9 will hold a march in front of Haydarpaşa Station.

BTS Istanbul Branch No. 1 President Harun Gökay stated, “We believe that if we can create enough public awareness, we can have this decision withdrawn. The strange aspect of the incident is this; it is thought-provoking that eviction notices were sent to tenants within 7 days even though a lawsuit was filed with a request for a stay of execution. It should not have been done this way, as if trying to save goods from a fire, while the lawsuit is still ongoing. It might be to test the waters. It might have been done to take action according to the reactions of the tenants. We don't know. We oppose this privatization plunder. We will do everything in our power regarding this matter.”

News Source: Hazal Güven