Current Affairs

Issue

The under-construction Kanal Istanbul project is gaining prominence in the country with elections looming near.

Background

The Kanal project involves construction of a shipping route parallel to the existing Bosphorus strait, a globally valuable route.

Details

• The Kanal is said to be the last option for President Erdogan to retain his office. The same project was earlier called as “crazy project” by Erdogan himself.

• Erdogan has endorsed the multi-million dollar project as an economically beneficial due to its ability to generate revenue for the country.

• Opposition parties and environmentalists have termed the project as a recipe for violating a multilateral treaty that has established peace in the region.

What is the project?

• The project will require digging up a new route to connect Sea of Marmara and Black sea through the city of Istanbul.

• The project is expected to cost $15 billion, with a length of 45 km and 21m deep. The first phase has started in June and will be finished in next six years.

Significance of canal

• The canal will be built parallel to the Bosphorus Strait, which itself is a natural waterway that separates Europe and Asia.

• The movement of freight traffic through Bosphorous strait is governed by Montreux Convention since 1936.

• The convention allows Russian ships to enter Mediterranean Sea from Black sea free of cost during peace time. However, naval vessels will not be allowed.

• The new canal will be built on the European side of the country and will be safer and faster, making it attractive for commercial traffic to move by paying charges.

• Since Naval traffic cannot be moved through existing strait, NATO warships can now enter Black sea through the new route.

Critics of the project

• Several former military officials have requested Erdogan to leave the project as the Montreux convention is necessary for maintaining peace in the region.

• Other critics allege that the project is used for diverting public attention from issues such as pandemic numbers, unemployment, soaring inflation and overall economic underperformance. 

• There is a major land deal corruption wherein investors have already bought land around the route where the canal will pass through.

Concerns

• Environmentalists say that polluted waters of Black Sea will be added into Sea of Marmara. Istanbul’s water supply system will also be affected.

• The number for ships using the Bosphorous strait for movement has also reduced. This is due to increase in oil pipelines and reduced dependence on fossil fuel.