Beylikdüzü Gürpınar Rainwater Tunnel foundation laid in Istanbul

A foundation ceremony was held for the Beylikdüzü Gürpınar Rainwater Tunnel in Istanbul's Gürpınar neighbourhood. The event was attended by TBMM CHP Group Vice‑Chair Gökhan Günaydın, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan, deputy mayors of Beylikdüzü, Küçükçekmece and Avcılar, and ISKI General Director Şafak Başa.

The 879‑metre tunnel, budgeted at 442 million Turkish lira, will channel stormwater underground to prevent floods and traffic disruptions that have plagued the area after heavy rains. Officials stressed that climate‑change‑driven shifts in weather patterns make such large‑scale, forward‑looking infrastructure essential. Construction will use tunnel‑bore technology to avoid disturbing parks and trees.

The project is part of Istanbul’s broader effort, since 2019, to build 19 new tunnels and address recurring water‑related challenges across the city.