Azerbaijan, Baku, April 15 / Trend, R. Hafizoglu /
The route of "Istanbul" canal will be determined within two months, the Turkish Minister of Urban Development and Environment Erdogan Bayraktar was quoted today by the Turkish newspaper Sabah as saying.
He added that at present, there are three routes for laying the channel. The most appropriate one is being determined.
The minister also said that Turkey will provide compensation to people whose real property will be in the area of the canal.
The design length of the "Istanbul" canal is 45-50 kilometers, depth - 25 meters and width - 145-150 meters.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the first time announced about the intention to implement the project in 2011. The project aims to reduce the burden on the Bosphorus Strait. It is assumed that the cargo ships carrying mainly fuel will pass through the new canal.
Earlier, the Turkish Ministry of Transport, Shipping and Communications told Trend that the country will announce a tender for geological and engineering work within "Istanbul" canal project, which must connect the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, in the first quarter of this year.
The ministry also said that after all the geological and engineering operations covering at least two years are over, Turkey will deal with the construction part of the project. A tender will also be announced.
The minimum cost of "Istanbul" canal project will hit $ 20 billion. The project is expected to be implemented by 2023.
Earlier, the Ministry told Trend that the soil obtained as a result of laying the canal will be used in the construction of the two islands in the Sea of Marmara, where the tourism facilities will be placed.