Istanbul Channel Will It Become a Reality?

Turkish President Erdogan intends to find a second Bosporus, and the damage to the economy and the environment will be enormous. Therefore, the Istanbul Mayor Akram wants to prevent the construction process.

The Turkish government plans to find only a second Bosphorus version of the seashore that runs through Istanbul, a city of 16 million people.

But the implementation of Erdogan's massive new construction project is facing difficulties, as the balance of power in the Bosphorus changed last June.

ject's planning work has been under way since 2011, but has been frozen for years.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu described the project as "a betrayal of Istanbul" and "an assassination project" and vowed that "16 million citizens would oppose". He said his words were in fact a sign of cooperation signed by the former city administration with the government.

The project may have major implications for the nature of the region, according to environmental expert Doganay Tolnai of Istanbul University.

In addition, huge construction costs are added, as around 11.5 billion euros are officially mentioned.

Critics warn that the canal could have a negative effect on the lines of secession, which are located beneath Istanbul's soil and the risk of greater earthquakes would be the consequence.

Istanbul Mayor criticizes that land cuts along the canal have been sold to Arab investors, including members of a royal family.