Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu gave good news for the Southeastern Anatolia Region, announcing that the railway will reach the Siirt city center with the 34-kilometer Siirt-Kurtalan New Railway Project. Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that thanks to this new line suitable for passenger and freight transportation, industrial and agricultural products in the region will be easily transported to the inner and western regions and that connections to important ports will be provided. Uraloğlu stated that this strategic investment will significantly strengthen the transportation infrastructure of the Southeastern Anatolia Region and accelerate regional development.
Siirt Connects to National Railway Network
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu shared the details of the Siirt-Kurtalan New Railway Project, which was included in the 2025 investment program, in a written statement. Minister Uraloğlu stated that the Siirt-Kurtalan railway, which will be a continuation of the existing Yolçatı-Diyarbakır-Kurtalan Line, was designed in a modern way suitable for a speed of 160 kilometers per hour.
Uraloğlu emphasized the importance of the project for Siirt and said, “With the 34-kilometer Siirt-Kurtalan Line, we will bring the railway to the center of Siirt. Thus, the city center of Siirt will be connected to the national railway network. Within the scope of the line, we will build a modern Siirt Station with Kurtalan Station, Airport and University Station.” These new stations will significantly increase transportation opportunities in the region and facilitate access to different points.
Huge Investment Despite Difficult Terrain Conditions
Minister Uraloğlu also touched upon the engineering details of the project and said, “As part of the work, they plan to build 15 tunnels with a total length of 574 meters, 6 escape tunnels with a length of 11 meters and 690 cut-and-cover tunnels with a length of 12 meters. Uraloğlu said, “As part of the line, we will also build 523 viaducts with a total length of 2 meters, 597 overpasses and 2 underpasses. We will lay a line of 7 thousand meters. Transportation in the region will become faster and safer with the tunnels and viaducts to be constructed.” Considering the difficult geographical conditions of the region, the construction of these tunnels and viaducts reveals how large and important an engineering work the project is.
Connection to Ports by Railway and Economic Revival
Minister Uraloğlu, who emphasized that the railway line in question will not only strengthen the transportation infrastructure but also make significant contributions to Siirt's economic, commercial and touristic activities, also drew attention to the industrial potential in the region. Stating that there are 128 workplaces and 85 industrial facilities operating in various sectors such as metal, food, machinery and ready-made clothing in the Siirt Organized Industrial Zone, which is among the developing provinces of the Southeastern Anatolia Region, Uraloğlu reminded that Türkiye's first zinc smelter was established in Siirt in 2021. Uraloğlu included the following important statements in his statement:
“With the railway project, industrial and agricultural products will be transported to the inner and western regions and connections will be provided to important ports. We aim to reduce road transport by railway and offer a more economical, safe and environmentally friendly transportation alternative.” These statements show that the project is not only a passenger transport project but also a strategic investment that will increase economic activity in the region.
Diyarbakir-Mardin Railway Project Continues
Minister Uraloğlu stated that efforts to further expand and modernize the railway network in the region are ongoing, and said, “We will modernize the Yolçatı-Diyarbakır-Kurtalan and Diyarbakır-Mazıdağı lines and increase the design speed to 160 kilometers per hour. We are also continuing the Diyarbakır-Mardin Railway study and project work uninterruptedly in order to connect the railway between Diyarbakır-Mazıdağı to Mardin in the south.” These statements reveal the government’s determination and long-term plans to strengthen the transportation infrastructure of the Southeastern Anatolia Region. With the completion of the Siirt-Kurtalan Railway Project, it is expected that trade in the region will revive, industrial production will increase, and tourism potential will increase.
