31.01.2026 11:30
The Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep High-Speed Train (YHT) Project, which will connect Mersin to Central Anatolia and Southeastern Turkey, is set to transform the region's landscape in passenger and freight transportation. Once completed, the travel time between Mersin and Adana will be reduced to 25 minutes, while the journey from Mersin to Gaziantep will take 2 hours and 15 minutes.
In addition to passenger transportation, the project, which has strategic importance in terms of cargo and logistics transportation, will make significant contributions to the regional economy by strengthening the railway integration of Mersin Port, the free zone, and organized industrial zones. With the line planned to be integrated with Çukurova International Airport, it is aimed to provide fast and comfortable access to the airport by rail.
AK Party Mersin Deputy Ali Kıratlı, along with Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO) President Hakan Sefa Çakır, Mersin Commodity Exchange President Abdullah Özdemir, MTSO Assembly President Hamit İzol, and some representatives of civil society organizations, examined the ongoing works within the scope of the High-Speed Train Project in Tarsus district. The delegation, which received information from the authorities about the current status of the works, observed that the project is progressing according to the established schedule.
"WE CONNECT MERSIN TO THE WORLD BY LAND, AIR, AND RAIL"
After the inspections, Kıratlı stated that Mersin's transportation infrastructure is being strengthened with multifaceted investments, saying, "We connect Mersin to Turkey and the world with its highways, the Çukurova International Airport opened last year, the Central Anatolia connection road, the Mediterranean Coastal Road, the Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi Highway, and the railway network."
"THE TIME BETWEEN MERSIN AND GAZIANTEP WILL BE REDUCED TO 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES"
Highlighting the time savings provided by the High-Speed Train Project, Kıratlı said, "Today, a journey from Mersin to Gaziantep by train takes about 6 and a half hours. When the High-Speed Train Project is completed, this time will be reduced to 2 hours and 15 minutes. This is a significant gain for the region."
"THE MERSIN-ADANA LINE WILL BE PUT INTO SERVICE BY THE END OF 2026"
Providing information about the phases of the project, Kıratlı stated that according to the information received from the authorities, the Mersin-Adana phase is planned to be put into service by the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027, saying, "The dates we are pleased with have been shared with us by our friends. God willing, by the end of 2026, our fellow citizens from Mersin and Adana will start traveling with the comfort of high-speed trains."
"ACCESS TO ADANA FROM MERSIN WILL TAKE 25 MINUTES"
Emphasizing that the travel time between Mersin and Adana will be reduced to 25 minutes with the completion of the High-Speed Train Project, Kıratlı said, "We are talking about a system found in only a few airports in the world. With an integrated structure where high-speed trains and suburban lines pass, access to the airport from Mersin will be provided by rail. This will be both safer and more economical for our citizens."
HEALTH INVESTMENTS WERE ALSO INSPECTED ON-SITE
Before the inspections in the High-Speed Train area, Kıratlı also examined the construction site of the ongoing Mezitli State Hospital, stating that the hospital will be opened to service in a short time and will make significant contributions to Mersin's healthcare infrastructure.
Kıratlı said, "At the point we have reached in Mersin, our total bed capacity has reached 5,350 with public and public-private partnerships. We have built state hospitals in almost every district. One of the districts without a state hospital was Mezitli. God willing, we will open our Mezitli State Hospital to the service of Mersin very soon," he said.
Kıratlı stated that Mersin's healthcare infrastructure will be further strengthened within the scope of the 2026 public investment program, saying, "We are continuing our health investments in Mersin under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to strengthen Mersin's healthcare infrastructure by adding approximately 800 new beds to the 2026 public investment program, ensuring that our citizens can access healthcare services more easily, quickly, and comfortably."
"A STRUCTURE THAT CAN INCREASE ITS CAPACITY TO 200 BEDS IF NEEDED"
Providing information about the physical and technical features of Mezitli State Hospital, Kıratlı stated that the hospital will be one of Mersin's important healthcare investments with its high capacity, equipment, and transportation facilities, saying, "Our Mezitli State Hospital has a physical capacity of 150 beds but can be increased to 200 beds if needed. We are in a complex that also includes a 50-unit Oral and Dental Health Hospital. It has 10 operating rooms, palliative care units, and emergency intervention rooms. When the devices arrive, it will be a living center equipped with the most modern devices of our time. With a parking lot for 500 vehicles and new connection roads, it will be one of the brand projects for Mersin," he said.
Kıratlı stated that Mersin will be one of the prominent provinces in Turkey in terms of healthcare investments by 2026, saying that many new hospitals and healthcare facilities have been included in the investment program across the city.