Adil Karaismailoğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, pointed out that 20 billion dollars have been invested in the last 183 years and said, “Investments have brought comfort and security to the lives of our citizens, made life easier and increased the quality of life. That's why we are happy to see the satisfaction of our citizens. We will continue our investments without interruption,” he said.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoğlu met with media representatives in Ankara and answered questions on the agenda. Stating that 20 billion dollars have been invested in the transportation sector in the last 183 years and that they are happy to see the developments in the lives of the citizens in return for the investments, Karaismailoğlu underlined that the investments continue.
Karaismailoğlu stated that 7 billion hours of time savings and direct savings from 1 billion liters of fuel per year are achieved with investments, and that besides direct savings, they also contribute to the region in the fields of employment, production, tourism and agriculture. Karaismailoğlu stated that the investment of 183 billion dollars had an effect of over 1 trillion dollars on production.
Karaismailoğlu reminded that there were criticisms when the first bridge was built in Istanbul, and now, 200 thousand vehicles from the First Bosphorus Bridge, 250 thousand from the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, 60 thousand from the Eurasia Tunnel, and an average of 100 thousand vehicles from the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge per day. He said that 600 thousand citizens passed through Marmaray. Karaismailoğlu said, “Investments brought comfort and security to the lives of our citizens, made life easier and increased the quality of life. That's why we are happy to see the satisfaction of our citizens. We will continue our investments without interruption.” he said.
1915 ÇANAKKALE BRIDGE PROJECT OF TURKEY
Drawing attention to the importance of the investment cost in the projects, Karaismailoğlu stated that the state did not receive a penny for the cost of the Osmangazi Bridge, which was 6,7 billion dollars, the Malkara-Çanakkale Highway and the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge 2,545 billion euros, and that the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and Malkara-Çanakkale projects were 40 years old. He also underlined that they do not get involved in operating costs of millions of dollars.
Emphasizing that they did not interfere with the operating costs of the Northern Marmara Highway, which is an 8 billion dollar project, over 1 billion liras, Karaismailoğlu said:
“We are bidding on a financing model for the return of this $8 billion within the operational period. Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge will pass to the state in 1 without a penny coming out of the state's coffers. Here, companies bid for the tender by calculating the cost of construction, operating time and financing. All of our BOT projects are open to contractors, open to all companies capable of carrying out the projects, there will be a race here. 2027 different proposals prepared by 17 companies competed on the Çanakkale Bridge. Here, too, the most suitable offer for the public has been selected. This time, they say, 'the costs are high, you can build 4 bridges instead of 1 bridge.' On what basis are you saying this? The cost of the 3 Çanakkale Bridge is 2,545 billion euros. If you tender this today, it will not be less than 1915 billion euros. The investor added value to the country without taking a penny from the state with foreign financing. This was Turkey's project. It will run it for 3 years.”
Karaismailoğlu stated that if the projects in question are made with the state budget, the operating cost will be covered as well as the construction cost, and pointed out that the gains from fuel, time and accident costs due to the projects are many times over the money paid. Karaismailoğlu stated that they have increased their income by supporting air and sea routes.
Drawing attention to the prepayment received within the scope of the tender for the operation of Antalya Airport, Karaismailoğlu said, “We already provide direct income flow from air and sea routes. Once you collect these, BOT projects will support themselves after next year. After a certain period of time, the support will also end, and they will discuss the model that will directly provide a complete income stream.” used his statements.
THERE IS NO FEASIBLE PROJECT IN THE WORLD THAN ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Minister of Transport, Karaismailoğlu said that Istanbul Airport has been successfully implemented with a financing model that will bring 10 billion euros in rent within 25 years of operation, with an investment of 22 billion euros, without a penny coming out of the state coffers. “There is no more feasible project in the world than Istanbul Airport.” Karaismailoğlu said that 200 thousand people were employed.
Stating that the number of passengers remained at the bottom due to Kovid-19 restrictions, Karaismailoğlu said, “We will start to increase again from this year. We will both get our rent and we will have income in parallel with the increasing number of passengers. Currently, there is a capacity to serve 120 million passengers. We can increase this to 200 million passengers with additional investments. In other words, we have achieved the project of the next 100 years, foreseeing the needs of the next 100 years, without putting any burden on our country and the state.” made its assessment.
Underlining that there is no need for Atatürk Airport to serve in the same region in a short distance, Karaismailoğlu said, “May Allah give wisdom and ideas to those who say they should both stay open. The fact that two airports serve in the region and bear its operating costs is something that the well-known mentality that criticizes this business can think about or make up.” said.
WE CANNOT LEFT THE PEOPLE OF ISTANBUL TO SOMEONE'S ENJOYMENT
Regarding the metro lines of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Karaismailoğlu stated that there is a 260-kilometer metro line currently being operated in Istanbul, 80 kilometers of which is operated by the Ministry of Marmaray. He noted that it was done before the local elections, and although the construction processes of the lines, which should be completed in about 100 years, reach 2019-4 years, the realization rate is around 5 percent.
Karaismailoğlu also referred to the metro lines transferred to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and said, “There is a local government where there is no action. Unfortunately, the state gives budgets to municipalities to meet the needs in their region, but there is no investment, no money. Our citizens will ask about it when the elections come, but we were not in the mood to leave the people of Istanbul to anyone's pleasure. We are currently working intensively on 7 metro lines in Istanbul. Their total length is 103 kilometers. As of next September, we will start to open 3 metro lines one by one. In 2023, we will have completely finished these 7 metro lines.” he said.
5 BIG COMPANY STORIES ARE COMPLETELY FILED
Minister Karaismailoğlu stated that the “five big company stories” are completely fabricated and said, “There are over 5 companies that bid on our BOT projects, there are no restrictions here, their sizes are approximately equal to each other. 30 companies submitted bids for the Çanakkale Bridge. These 17 companies are contractors working on infrastructure projects all over the world. These infrastructure companies have proven themselves and receive offers from all over the world, these are Turkey's valuable companies. Thanks to their experience, they export project consultancy, engineering and consultancy. Turkey has now become one of the best in the world in this field.” made its assessment.
On the question about the Treasury guarantees in the projects, Karaismailoğlu said:
“The work has a construction cost, if you have money, you spend it from the state's budget, you make your tender within 2 years and give it to a company, they will. We have invested 545 billion dollars in the last 4 years, only 20 percent of which we have achieved with the build-operate-transfer model, with the guarantee of the Treasury. We used 183 percent of it as a service to our citizens as thousands of projects in every corner of Anatolia. Since there is no financial problem with the build-operate-transfer model, we used the 20 billion-dollar project stock to complete the projects ahead of time, providing public benefits. Everyone knows the Bolu Mountain Tunnel, 'Will it be a potato warehouse?' it was spoken. Bolu Mountain Tunnel lasted 80 years. Why? Financing problem, contractor problem… Our budget has lost 38 million dollars because our citizens could not use that project for 17 years.”
WE AIM TO COMPLETE THE METRO LINE PROJECTS IN ANKARA IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2023
Expressing that there are 185 kilometers of metro line work in total throughout Turkey, Karaismailoğlu said that there are metro lines under construction in Ankara, and that they aim to complete them in the first quarter of 2023. Karaismailoğlu said that there are projects brought by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, and their approval processes are continuing at the General Directorate of Infrastructure Investments.
Karaismailoğlu pointed out that Turkey has faced with very serious disasters in recent years and said that serious destructions occurred in disasters, but that the destructions in question were not in the projects made in the last 20 years. Expressing that the new investments made are extremely resistant to these disasters, Karaismailoğlu stated that they took lessons from all of them and made their plans accordingly. Stating that there are 5 thousand construction sites under construction throughout Turkey, Karaismailoğlu stated that all of them are projects that are worked with engineers and consultants.
Karaismailoğlu said, “I can say that it is very difficult or even impossible for new projects to be affected by disasters. By taking lessons from the disasters experienced, we increased the number of safety coefficients in our projects even more. We continue to produce structures that are resistant to earthquakes and disasters.” he said.
A MUST HAVE FOR THE CHANNEL ISTANBUL TURKEY
Minister Karaismailoğlu stated that the Kanal Istanbul project is very important in order to be able to respond to them logistically with the increase in the trade volume in the world and to relieve the Bosphorus traffic, and said, "Canal Istanbul is a must for Turkey." used the phrase. Karaismailoğlu, who said that they continued to build the transportation routes regarding Kanal Istanbul, continued as follows:
“After we provide transportation alternatives, we will make the main tender and start the main work. Currently, our work on the highway Başakşehir-Hadımköy-Ispartakule connection continues. Our productions on the Sazlıdere Bridge also continue. It's about 45 kilometers away. We are manufacturing one of the bridges of Kanal Istanbul and we continue to make our way, which is an alternative way to eliminate the congestion at the Mahmutbey TEM Highway toll booths. On the railway, the Canal will pass under the Bosphorus in accordance with Istanbul. Halkalı-We made our tender between Ispartakule, and our productions continue there. This is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world.”
IN THE NEXT 2 YEARS, THE SHARE OF RAILWAYS IN INVESTMENTS WILL INCREASED TO 65 PERCENT
Minister Karaismailoğlu stated that they started a railroad-based investment period and said, “In the next 2 years, the share of railroads in investments will increase to 65 percent, and the roadway will continue at 30 percent. Today, we have a 13 thousand 50 kilometers railway network, 1400 kilometers of which is high-speed trains, but our 2053 goal is to have 28 thousand kilometers of railway lines.” said.
Karaismailoğlu stated that there are currently 4 thousand 500 kilometers of railway lines under construction throughout Turkey. Halkalı-Ispartakule-ÇerkezköyHe stated that the Edirne-Kapıkule railway line is 220 kilometers long, and that they aim to put it into service by the end of 2024.
Karaismailoğlu stated that they have also completed the tenders for the Ankara-İzmir high-speed train line, and that the works are continuing rapidly, and that they will put the 2025-kilometer-long Ankara-İzmir high-speed train line into operation by the end of 500.
Karaismailoğlu stated that the productions on the Ankara-Sivas line have reached the final stage, that there are problems between Ankara and Kırıkkale, but that the productions are on the way, and that they will put the Ankara-Sivas high-speed train line into service at the beginning of 2023.
Karaismailoğlu stated that the works on the Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep line with a length of 220 kilometers will also be operational by the end of 2024, and drew attention to the fact that the investments made are very valuable not only for passenger transportation, but also for reducing costs in terms of logistics.
THE RATE OF DOMESTIC IN COMMUNICATION REACHED 30 PERCENT
Karaismailoğlu stated that they are planning an investment of 2053 billion dollars until 190, and they allocate a significant part of this to the railway and communication sector. Stating that they are currently making a very important tender for the internet need in rural areas, Karaismailoğlu stated that they are working on fixed base stations in 1000 villages and they will start to operate them from next month.
Karaismailoğlu emphasized that they have very serious studies on 5G and stated that a communication cluster was established in Ankara to be domestic and national, and they followed their work.
Karaismailoğlu, who said that the rate of locality in communication has reached 30 percent, stated that this will continue to increase.
Explaining that on the one hand, the 5G tender, on the one hand, the renewal of the existing privileges, on the other hand, the end of 2G, which is used in communication between machines, and its extension are the issues on the agenda, Karaismailoğlu said, “We are in constant communication with Türk Telekom, Turkcell, Vodafone. We also follow the developments in the world from one side. We will launch with a very important meeting at Istanbul Airport on July 29. Istanbul Airport will be a 5G airport. Our preparations for him are continuing.” said.
Minister Karaismailoğlu stated that Turkey has a strong infrastructure regarding cyber security.
TURKEY IS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL USING THE BOT MODEL IN THE WORLD
Karaismailoğlu gave the following answer to a question about Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects:
“If we had done 37,5 billion dollars of work from our own budget, there is 28 km of divided road length today, we would have been able to complete it in 664-10 years, estimated. What would be the result? There will be fuel, time costs, there would be accident costs. If we had done this from the state budget, to give a concrete example, we would not be able to build Tokat Airport. We would not be able to build Rize-Artvin Airport. The contribution of the BOT projects in terms of providing resources to the budget, their completion in a short time and their return to the public in a short time is far beyond the money we have made and spent. Indirectly, we monitor the increases in production, industry, agriculture and employment and add them to the cost-benefit analysis.”
“If we had built Zafer Airport as a state, we would have spent 50 million dollars directly from the state's budget, we would have incurred 7 million dollars in operating costs every year.” Karaismailoğlu said that they currently spend 7 million dollars in operating costs for Adıyaman Airport. Karaismailoğlu said:
“Opposing Zafer Airport is a separate issue, opposing the BOT model as a financial model is another issue. You can say, 'I am against the Çanakkale Bridge, it is not needed'. But saying 'You made this project expensive, you did it with the wrong model' is a different thing. We will continue to explain them. As Kütahya Regional Airport, Zafer Airport was planned as the need of that region and the BOT model was preferred as a financial model for a business with a certain investment cost. It is only a 37,5 million dollar project among the 50 billion dollar BOT projects, it is also a feasible project, it was built as the need of the region. The number of passengers there is said. There has been a Kovid-2 process for 19 years, we have been closed to houses, we have closed airports. Of course passengers will fall. The passenger may not have landed, but military planes and ambulance planes use it. These are not visible in the number of passengers. There are airports in Anatolia where 1-2 planes land every day, but if 1 plane lands every day, that airport is valuable for the region. Are we going to close it because it hurts? If you look at it, hospitals are also making losses, shall we? The courts of justice also suffer. But we have to do certain services as a public obligation to bring our citizens to their feet. Our expenditures directly from the public budget, our expenditures as BOT, our expenditures as foreign loans… All of these are construction models that were decided upon as a result of feasibility. Today, we suffer from these in some projects, but air, sea and land projects support each other. If it wasn't for the Kovid-19 outbreak, maybe we wouldn't have talked about them at all. How much revenue did they get? We would question them. But when we come to 2030, let alone supporting projects, when we come to the 2040s, we will produce the Ministry's budget thanks to the revenues from these projects without receiving a penny from the state. These are the result of a long-term planning. All of these are not 3-5 year feasibility. I was at the toll booth of Osmangazi Bridge on Saturday. I saw the pleasure, comfort, safety and confidence that our citizens had in their country when they used that road in their eyes. Do not scribble these projects on social media to enjoy their seat, those who use these projects the most are making these hymns. But really, our citizens are satisfied with them. These projects have made life easier for citizens and will serve for years. Turkey is one of the countries that use the BOT model most successfully in the world.”
OUR FIBER INFRASTRUCTURE HAS REACHED APPROXIMATELY 470 THOUSAND MILES.
Noting that the use of common fiber infrastructure in the telecommunication sector has been on their agenda for a long time, Karaismailoğlu said, “We continue to invest in the development of fiber infrastructure. Our fiber infrastructure has now reached approximately 470 thousand kilometers. Of course, it is not enough. We need to develop it, but on the other hand, we continue to work on the common infrastructure, both on the basis of the sector and the operators. It is one of the important works on our common infrastructure agenda regarding the restructuring of Türk Telekom.” he said.
Karaismailoğlu stated that they are in an effort to switch to 5G domestically and nationally, "We are continuing our work to take important steps regarding 2023G in 5." used the phrase.
TRAVEL TIME WILL DECREASE TO 3,5 HOURS ON THE ISTANBUL LINE
Reminding that the tolls of the General Directorate of Highways' build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects are determined in line with the tender contract and specifications, Karaismailoğlu emphasized that the contractors also prepare their bids accordingly. Pointing out that the Antalya-Alanya road will be tendered as BOT on August 25, within the scope of major projects, Karaismailoğlu said that the tender for the Ankara-Kırıkkale-Delice road will also be held on August 25. Karaismailoğlu stated that within the scope of large projects, they entered a period of mostly railway-based investment.
Pointing out that the production in Bilecik section continues in order to shorten the transportation time on the Ankara-Istanbul high-speed train line, Karaismailoğlu said, “It takes 4 hours because the speeds have decreased there. When our tunnel constructions in Bilecik are completed by 2024, the travel time will be reduced to 3,5 hours on the Istanbul line. In addition, our very high-speed train work, which allows 350 kilometers between Ankara and Istanbul, continues on the one hand. Our feasibility studies continue for its construction as a BOT. Our tender processes continue for the Gebze-Çatalca high-speed train line that will pass through the Yavuz Sultan Bridge.” made its assessment.
Karaismailoğlu emphasized that the test processes in the national electric train set continue on the rails and said that they will start mass production after completing the certification process as of this year.
30 CONTRACTORS ARE WORKING ON BOT PROJECTS
Noting that the claims that the cost of BOT projects are high are completely unfounded, Karaismailoğlu stated that these tenders are open to the public. Pointing out that there are 30 different contractors participating in these tenders, Karaismailoğlu said, “5 companies are mentioned, but as a large company, 30 contractors work in BOT projects. We also have 1200 different contractors working for the ministry. Among them, there are people from different backgrounds, including contractors who used to be CHP MPs and are now CHP MPs in the parliament. We work with all companies that will do business for the public, they make offers, if there is a suitable offer as a result of the competition, the work is accepted.” he said.
THESE JOBS DO NOT GET INSTALLED BY SAYING THAT THESE WORK IS EXPENSIVE
Explaining that bids were collected in the open tenders and more than one bid was received, Karaismailoğlu stated that at the end of the competition, the company that gave the most suitable bid was selected. Karaismailoğlu continued his words as follows:
“Those things don't happen by irresponsibly saying that these things are expensive. These works have costs, unit quantities, market prices are also certain. You are making a speech from where you are sitting. Kılıçdaroğlu had falsely slandered about the Bursa-Istanbul high-speed train. We went out, we explained one by one, but they never look back, we put their lies in their faces, they try to continue with another lie. We have no time to waste with these, we have so much work to do. We've planned another $190 billion in business."
OVER 8 THOUSAND VEHICLES PASSED THROUGH THE OSMANGAZI BRIDGE ON JULY 80
Reminding that more than 8 thousand vehicles passed through the Osmangazi Bridge on July 80, Karaismailoğlu drew attention to the fact that it would not be possible for so many vehicles to cross the ferry. Karaismailoğlu stated that if the bridge did not exist, the transportation would be locked, and said that this was considered and the bridge was planned 10 years ago.
I USE MARMARAY BECAUSE IT SUITABLE FOR MY ROUTE
Karaismailoğlu, on a question about traveling in Marmaray, said:
“In 1995, I started to work as a newly graduated engineer at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Directorate. I use all the public transportation lines that are suitable for the route, as I know very well which trip is more convenient and shorter, as I am in all stages of the planning, construction and operation of the entire transportation network in Istanbul. I used Marmaray in those days because it was suitable for my route. In particular, I try to make my trips to Bilecik, Bursa and Ankara in this way by taking the Marmaray to Söğütlüçeşme and then the high-speed train. I will of course use it from now on. We come from within our citizens, we are also Anatolian children. We were in our village during the holiday, we will go there again. We are the citizens, the nation itself.”
Karaismailoğlu, who stated that the public photo was taken on the day he got on the Marmaray to go to the high-speed train in Söğütlüçeşme, said, “I would like to get on the bus too, but there is a risk of staying on the road in Istanbul. The elevators and escalators of the high-speed trains in our metro, Marmaray, work very well, there is no problem. All our citizens with disabilities and access problems use it very easily, but we see from the press that the municipality does not have that opportunity, I hope they will get better soon.” made its assessment.
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