HDP Applies to Court for Cancellation of Environmental Impact Report of Canal İstanbul

*If the canal is built, the Sea of Marmara will be merged with the Küçükçekmece Lake on the right (Photo: AA)

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has requested the cancellation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Canal (Kanal) İstanbul project.

Submitting a petition to İstanbul Administrative Court, the HDP said the people's reaction against the project was not taken into consideration although Article 3 of the EIA Regulation says "The principle of participation is essential in the development of environmental policies."

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanism on January 17 approved the EIA report for Canal İstanbul, the planned artificial way that would connect the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

The government's latest efforts to realize the project that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan first mentioned in 2011 has led to a rise in tensions with the opposition.

In its petition, the HDP cited Articles 17 and 56 of the Constitution, which are on the right to life and conservation of the environment.

The Canal İstanbul project has become "a reason for existence" for the government, the HDP asserted, adding that the İstanbul Airport and the Third Bosphorus Bridge, which were built on "natural areas" are also parts of the same project.

Agricultural areas and basins that have been zoned for construction with the approval of the report are under protection according to the İstanbul Environmental Plan which was approved on June 6, 2009, the HDP stated, requesting the court to cancel the approval of the report.

Canal (Kanal) İstanbul project

President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a statement in 2011, when he was still the Prime Minister. In his speech, he mentioned "a new İstanbul" objective. Presented as a "crazy project", the plan referred to 'Canal İstanbul' for the first time.

What is in the 'crazy project'?

The basic information as to the project was shared with the public at a press conference in Haliç Congress Center in 2011.

The plan foresaw an artificial sea-level waterway that would connect the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Accordingly, the project was extending from the region known as old stone pits on Black Sea shores in the north to Sarıyer in the east and Karaburun in the west. While the residences in Sarıyer center, Kemerburgaz, Göktürk and Arnavutköy have been excluded from the project, the damaged parts of the forest along the forest boundary have been included in the project. Sarıyer region, which is a historical protected area, marked the eastern border of the project.

The work area was determined as 33 thousand 500 hectares and located at the borders of Arnavutköy, Eyüp and Sarıyer districts. There were 21 villages with a population of 41 thousand 749 people within the designated work area.

The most important aspect of the project was the integration of transportation. The construction of 3rd Bosphorus bridge foreseen by the project has been completed. Minister Arslan stated that they would start the construction work this year.

Region opened to unearned income with bag bill

In May 2016, 32 articles of 20 laws were amended. An additional article added to the Pasture Law has paved the way for the region's zoning for construction.

With another amendment introduced to the law, it has been understood that the access roads to the Canal İstanbul will be toll roads.

Its route was announced in 2018

Ahmet Arslan, the then Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications, announced the route of the project in 2018. He said that the canal would form an artificial waterway from the Black Sea to Marmara Sea, covering 45 kilometers from Küçükçekmece Lake through Küçükçekmece-Sazlıdere-Durusu corridor.

(HA/VK)