İstanbul Mayor Holds 'Not Sod-Cutting Ceremony', Suspends Projects 'Surplus to Need'

"Not sod- cutting ceremony of Silahtarağa Biological Purification Facility," reads the banner behind İmamoğlu. (Photo: AA)

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Mayor of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ekrem İmamoğlu, has announced that they decided to suspend bidding processes for large projects, speaking at an event at the İstanbul Natural Gas Distribution Company (İGDAŞ).

The project for a wastewater treatment plant, the Silahtarağa Biological Purification Facility, has been suspended as part of their move, İmamoğlu said.

"Our newly appointed friends at the İSKİ [İstanbul Water and Sewage Management] made very important and valuable findings. A scientific team from the İTÜ [İstanbul Technical University] took the project into an examination. According to the findings in the report prepared, there is no such need in İstanbul Master Plan.

"The wastewater intended to be treated in the treatment plant is delivered to the Yenikapı and Baltalimanı wastewater plants. Even if there is a population increase of 2.5 million people, this facility is not needed. Because the existing two facilities are sufficient. Such an increase is not predicted anyway."

Elected in June, İmamoğlu said last month that they have taken over nearly 100 projects from the previous administration that were halted or tendered but never started. (DB/VK)