Highway project route scandal! Citizens took to the streets upon hearing that 111 houses will be demolished.

It is claimed that the determined route in the Çeşmeli-Taşucu highway project in Mersin has been intentionally changed in the initial stage. This change will result in the demolition of the houses of 111 families in the Tırtar neighborhood where the road will pass. The affected families are deeply concerned about the demolition of their homes and the disappearance of productive agricultural areas.

"DON'T TOUCH MY HOME, WE DON'T WANT PROFIT"

The citizens protesting against the route change in the project held a demonstration in the Tırtar neighborhood. The local people carrying banners with slogans such as "Don't touch my home", "We don't want profit", "Roads should not be built on tears", and "Let the road go somewhere else" made a press statement with the participation of the congregation after Friday prayers. Muhammet Balcı, one of the citizens, made the first speech at the demonstration. Balcı stated that in a project that has undergone three route changes, productive agricultural areas and 111 houses will be demolished, and requested sensitivity to the issue. Balcı expressed that they are not against the project, but they will suffer great damage due to the route change.

One of the participating women, Fatma Sarıbaş, said, "We made vineyards and gardens. We built houses, we were born and raised in these lands. We came here by scratching with our nails. We built a home. Now they want our houses to be demolished. 111 houses will be demolished. More than 500 people will be affected. If our houses are demolished, our children will go to other cities and other schools, the education system will collapse. We don't have any other profession to rely on, what will we do in other cities? Do they want us to commit theft? We want this connection road to be canceled and the grievances of the people to be resolved. We absolutely do not want the project," she said.

"WE WON'T LOSE OUR VINEYARDS AND GARDENS FOR SOMEONE'S PROFIT"

CHP Mersin Deputies Hasan Ufuk Çakır and Talat Dinçer also supported the demonstration. Deputy Çakır said, "As a shepherd's child, I am with you. 111 houses will be demolished here. Even if the first project was bad, it was in the interest of the people, but we will not allow our lemon gardens and houses to be demolished just because someone's whims are satisfied. We are people who are loyal to our country and our nation. We will not lose our homes, vineyards, and gardens for someone's profit. I will be with you until the end in your rightful cause." CHP Deputy Talat Dinçer emphasized that the reactions of the citizens are justified and said that the section in the Tırtar area should be completely canceled.

THEY TEMPORARILY CLOSED THE ROAD

After the speeches, the participants of the demonstration and the citizens with banners briefly closed the Mersin-Antalya D-400 highway to traffic. Upon this, gendarmerie teams with the support of TOMA vehicles surrounded the citizens and ensured the reopening of the road.

A PETITION CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN LAUNCHED

The citizens who reacted to the route change of the project passing through the Tırtar neighborhood in Erdemli district started a petition campaign some time ago. The citizens took action to prevent their neighborhood from being divided into pieces. Thousands of signatures were sent to the General Directorate of Highways affiliated with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure with a petition. In the petition, which includes thousands of signatures, it was requested that the exit of the Mersin-Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi-Taşucu highway from the Tırtar neighborhood in Erdemli be canceled. The citizens also expressed their confusion about the fact that the highway exit, which was previously planned in the Kumkuyu and then in the Bağalanı region, is now planned to be in the Azimli area of the Tırtar neighborhood.