Illegal Structures Along the Shores of Sapanca Lake Are Being Demolished

Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality has begun demolishing all encroachments and illegal structures along the lakeshore as part of the Sapanca Park project.

Following official notifications issued for the removal of 89 different piers, many property owners had dismantled their encroaching structures using their own means. However, demolition has now started on the structures belonging to those who failed to remove their illegal constructions within the granted period.

Demolition work on illegal structures at Sapanca Lake.

Teams from the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Water and Sewerage Administration (SASKİ) have launched the demolition works using 4 tracked excavators, 4 dump trucks, 2 backhoe loaders, and a large number of personnel. The sections of the piers that were notified on Thursday, January 1, and not removed within the legal timeframe are being carefully dismantled and removed from the area in a controlled manner.

Once the works—planned to be completed in a short time—are finalized, the illegal occupations along the Sapanca Lake shoreline will be cleared for the first phase of the project. As a result, the lake’s surroundings will both regain their natural character and become a safe, publicly accessible area for citizens.

Demolition work on illegal structures at Sapanca Lake.

In a statement by SASKİ, it was emphasized that the work being carried out around Sapanca Lake is not merely a demolition, but rather the lawful reclamation of public spaces.

The statement also noted that the illegal piers along the shoreline are being removed in a controlled manner without harming the lake ecosystem. Through these efforts, the shores of Sapanca Lake will be reopened for public use, the lake will be protected from external impacts, and unlawful construction along the coastal boundary line will be prevented.