The M20, officially referred to as the M20 Sefaköy–TÜYAP Metro Line is a planned

rapid transit Rapid transit or mass rapid transit (MRT) or heavy rail, commonly referred to as metro, is a type of high-capacity public transport that is generally built in urban areas. A grade separation, grade separated rapid transit line below ground su ...

line in

Istanbul Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...

. The line was originally conceived as an extension to the M2 line but was later made into its own lines due to conflict and lack of communication between the

opposition Opposition may refer to: Arts and media * ''Opposition'' (Altars EP), 2011 EP by Christian metalcore band Altars * The Opposition (band), a London post-punk band * ''The Opposition with Jordan Klepper'', a late-night television series on Comedy ...

-controlled

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (, İBB) is the government agency in charge of the municipal affairs of the Istanbul Province. It is one of the 30 metropolitan municipalities in Turkey. History The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality ...

and the government-controlled

Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure () is a government ministry office of the Republic of Turkey, responsible for transport, information and communication services in Turkey. Its head office is in Ankara Ankara is the capital city o ...

and was later given the line code M20 on the vision map.

History

The line will be crucial for the districts it passes through with a total population of 3.5 million people, who currently have no alternative other than the

Metrobus Metrobus may refer to: Transport services Bus Rapid Transit *MetroBus (Bristol), a bus rapid transit system in Bristol, England, United Kingdom *Metrobus (Buenos Aires), a bus rapid transit system in Buenos Aires, Argentina *Metrobus (Istanbul), a ...

. Works on the line have not started yet, the plans and projects prepared by

(IMM) were not approved by the General Directorate of the Infrastructural Investment (AYGM) for a period spanning more than a year. As a result of long discussions, the environmental impact assessment report process started on August 5, 2022. In the statement made by the

Mayor of Istanbul The mayor of Istanbul is the head of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The mayor is elected popularly every five years. Nuri Aslan has served as interim mayor of Istanbul since 26 March 2025. This article covers the Ottoman Empire to the ...

Ekrem İmamoğlu Ekrem İmamoğlu (born 4 June 1970) is a Turkish politician and businessman who has served as the 32nd Mayor of Istanbul since 2019. He is currently suspended from office temporarily. He is the Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate for the ...

, he announced that the AYGM approval was received and that they are currently working on approval from the

treasury A treasury is either *A government department related to finance and taxation, a finance ministry; in a business context, corporate treasury. *A place or location where treasure, such as currency or precious items are kept. These can be ...

. In January 2025, the Turkish Presidency didn't give approval to start the construction for the sixth time even though all paperwork for the project was complete. The common view among the public on why the Presidency denies a signature from the project is the political polarization in Turkey. In recent years, Istanbul at large and the districts that the metro line surpasses tended to vote for the main opposition party, instead of the president's political party. Also, President Erdoğan views Mayor İmamoğlu as an opponent in the next presidential election and by delaying the construction he seeks to prevent a political victory for İmamoğlu.

Stations

References

Istanbul Metro lines Küçükçekmece Büyükçekmece Beylikdüzü Avcılar, Istanbul {{Istanbul-metro-stub

History

Stations

See also

References