Ankara Municipality Says Drain Upgrades Were Routine, Not New for NATO Summit

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality responded to social‑media posts that claimed rain‑water drains and chimney covers were being lowered to road level for the first time ahead of the NATO summit. The municipality said the claims are misleading, noting that the works are part of a long‑standing routine maintenance program carried out by the municipality and water utility ASKİ, which regularly adjusts drains and covers to road grade during asphalt renewal and traffic‑related repairs. About 50,000 locations are scheduled for upkeep, and recent traffic measures for the summit simply allowed crews to work more quickly, not that the work is new.

The statement also referenced a contract signed on 1 October 2025 with a 600‑day implementation period beginning 16 October 2025, emphasizing that the current activities continue an established schedule rather than a summit‑specific initiative.