28 Billion Lira New Tender for the Company Involved in the Deadly Metro Disaster in Gebze

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has concluded a massive tender aimed at strengthening metro transportation in Gebze, Kocaeli. The gigantic project with a budget of approximately 28 billion liras was awarded to Met-Gün İnşaat, known for its controversial investments in the public eye. Within the scope of this tender, it is planned to carry out the Phase 1 construction of the Gebze-Çayırova-Birlik OSB Line and the integration works of the Gebze-Darıca Metro. Following the tender process completed through negotiation, a formal contract was signed between the company and the ministry on 1 July. According to the contract terms, it is aimed to complete and put into service the 5.7-kilometer line within 1080 days.

This development occurred in the shadow of a tragic building collapse that previously occurred in the region and deeply shook the society. In the previous period, four citizens lost their lives due to the collapse of Arslan Apartmanı. Official expert reports clearly revealed the main cause underlying this deadly accident. According to the report, large-scale excavations made on the tunnel platform during metro excavation works created dangerous voids in the building's foundation. These ground problems turned into a structural collapse over time, triggering the tragic incident that led to the death of Emine E., Levent E., and their two children.

Despite these tragic events, the increasing influence of Met-Gün İnşaat in the region has become a major subject of debate among the local people and the public. The fact that the Gebze-Darıca Metro Line, which has been under construction in the region for eight years, has still not been completed, causes victimization and reactions among the citizens. Despite this, the Met-Gün Grubu is rising to a position that almost monopolizes its dominance in rail system and transportation projects in the Kocaeli province. Following the Körfez-Derince-İzmit-Kartepe (Körfezray) line, the first stage of the Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı connection line being awarded to the same group has consolidated the company's power in the city. This third major rail system project undertaken by the company has raised serious questions about the allocation of infrastructure investments in the region.

Looking at the history of Met-Gün İnşaat, the company's name has frequently been involved in various legal and commercial disputes. The firm, under the management of its owner Metin Güneş, previously came to the agenda with foreclosure processes it experienced with the İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi (İBB). In addition, the company's political connections and its activities in various sectors such as energy and tourism are frequently debated in the public. Such connections and past legal issues lead to the questioning of the company's success in public tenders. The Kocaeli public is following with great concern that such a large and critical infrastructure budget is given to a contractor associated with a 'deadly collapse' incident through official expert reports.

On the other hand, the continuous growth of the Gebze region in terms of industry and population increases the need for new and effective transportation networks day by day. Providing metro integration in routes where large business clusters such as Birlik OSB are located is seen as a critical step for the relaxation of regional trade and daily journeys. However, completing the projects safely and on time is considered the success criterion for such mega projects. The insistence shown by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure in the selection of the contractor firm is also criticized by local governments and the opposition. The transportation developments to be experienced in the region in the future and how healthy the companies will carry out these projects are eagerly awaited by the whole country.