Topbaş, who inspected the drinking-water tunnel under construction in Zeytinburnu, said in his address that they were commissioning a truly exciting system that day and that it was very important for Türkiye.

Recalling that tunnel excavation had once been carried out entirely by physical labour, and that collapses and loss of life had occurred despite precautions, Topbaş said: “Even when precautions were taken, collapses would happen. There were serious difficulties, and people lost their lives underground. Then machinery arrived. Machines were lowered into the tunnels and excavation began with them. But collapses happened with those machines too.

“Then technology advanced. Needs brought this about. The machines we call TBMs, or moles, began to operate almost like factories. We are here today because the TBM is being commissioned. But this TBM is very exciting and meaningful because it is the first in Türkiye to be manufactured in Kocaeli with 95% domestic content. If we are now able to produce technologies ourselves, that is a sign of our progress.”

Topbaş underlined that Istanbul was like a country in its own right: with a population of 16 million, it was larger than 124 countries in the world, so every undertaking had to be considered on a national scale. He continued:

“All the work required for transport systems, infrastructure and other needs has to be carried out on a very large scale. Thankfully, by 2017 our municipality had reached an annual investment level of TRY 16.5 billion. Our municipality has not owed a single lira past its due date to any state body, financing institution or bank.

“We can invest. Resources are being used properly. One of the most important municipal services is providing drinking water. You have to meet the drinking-water needs of millions of people. Istanbul currently uses 3 million cubic metres of water a day. There is a comparable volume of wastewater. Both are serious problems around the world. In every field, we try to do things properly and serve as a model.”

“There is a 3,200-metre line here,” Topbaş said. “A pipe measuring 206 centimetres—that is, 2 metres 60 centimetres—is being laid beneath the tram line. To build a line like this, it is impossible to pass underneath buildings in the city centre by opening shafts. You cannot lay pipes that way. You have to use advanced technology. This will be resolved using this system, machinery and equipment 60 metres below ground.

“The investment is worth TRY 36 million. Güçlü İnşaat will carry it out. No one above ground will see it, but hundreds of people will work day and night to secure Istanbul’s water supply. This very important line is being brought into service with a TBM that is 95% domestically produced—the first to be used in Türkiye and Istanbul. Later, machines with larger diameters will follow, so there will be no need to bring these machines in from abroad.”

Using the saying, “You cannot produce good work with a bad tool,” Topbaş continued:

“If you can follow technological advances, adapt to them and succeed, you are not merely doing your own job; you are making an important contribution to the development of the country. These things matter greatly. We have to catch up with technological progress and move ahead. Producing these machines domestically will make it easier and less expensive for us to do this work. Istanbul is a very important point of reference in the world. A company that works in Istanbul can readily win work around the world. A company that buys or supplies machines and equipment for Istanbul can also supply them to the world.”

While discussing the Kabataş–Bağcılar Tram Line, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbaş also had good news for the people of Zeytinburnu. Noting that Zeytinburnu Mayor Murat Aydın had opposed a new line passing through the district because it would cause serious traffic problems, Topbaş concluded: “The train passing through Zeytinburnu causes difficulties. God willing, the project to take this tram underground is nearly finished, and we will start it soon. In this way, we will hopefully resolve Zeytinburnu’s difficulty with the tram as well. I wanted to share this good news here. May it bring good fortune.”