Turkey Determined to Build Istanbul Canal

Turkey will push ahead with plans to build a 45km transport channel that runs parallel with the Bosphorus.

That is what the country's environment minister, Murat Kurum, announced on Saturday.

Minister Kurum said the ministry he heads is looking to buy land along the canal road and to plan with contractors.

Istanbul's “Canal is the most important project in our ministry's 100-day action plan”, he was quoted as saying.

The channel, which will connect the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara to the north and south of Istanbul, is aimed at facilitating traffic in the Bosphorus Strait, where ships from around the world pass.

Construction of this channel will turn Istanbul's western side into an island.