EBRD allocates €125m for Dikimevi-Natoyolu metro line in Ankara

In an attempt to address Ankara’s rapid population growth and environmental challenges, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has pledged €125 million to support the construction of the Dikimevi-Natoyolu metro line in Turkey’s capital city, Ankara.

The funds are part of a larger €250 million co-financing package together with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

Ankara, the second-largest city in Turkey with a population of 5.7 million and a projected growth to 6.3 million by 2025, is under strain from increasing transportation demands. The planned Dikimevi-Natoyolu metro line is set to not only improve urban mobility but also significantly reduce carbon emissions by encouraging residents to transition from private vehicles to public transport.

Upon completion, the Dikimevi-Natoyolu metro line project aims to slash air pollution by 75% and achieve an average annual reduction of 18,169 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The initiative falls under the EBRD’s Green Cities programme, aligning with Ankara’s Green City Action Plan to combat climate change and air pollution.

Ankara’s Dikimevi-Natoyolu metro line receives €125m boost from EBRD. Photo courtesy of A.Savin/Wikimedia Commons.

The new metro line will particularly benefit Mamak, an underprivileged district in the city, providing faster, safer, and more affordable transportation. The enhanced transport infrastructure will especially aid women with young children, promoting their active participation in daily life.

The funding deal for the Dikimevi-Natoyolu metro line construction underscores the EBRD’s commitment to sustainable urban development and is slated to close by the end of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Sue Barrett — EBRD Director for Infrastructure in Türkiye, the Middle East and Africa said: “Cities are where most pollution and emissions occur and greener investment in urban mobility is urgently needed across the EBRD regions to make them better places to live and work.

“We are proud to be partnering with Ankara Metropolitan Municipality on this high-impact project and are confident that it will allow the residents of Ankara to imagine a healthier, cleaner future by significantly reducing the city’s carbon emissions. We will continue to support sustainable infrastructure projects in Türkiye that contribute to the country’s net-zero journey.”