In a speech at the ceremony, Erdoğan expressed his wish for the 900-meter-long viaduct and the 2,100 meter-long access roads to be auspicious for the city, region and the country and thanked those who contributed to the realization of the project worth 1.5 billion liras.

Recalling that the 45.5 kilometer-long section of Baykan Road, which enables transportation between the north and south of Bitlis, had previously been completed as a divided road, Erdoğan noted that the viaduct inaugurated today brings solution to one of the most troublesome sections of the transportation between Bitlis and Baykan.

“Once completed, the road will benefit the whole region along with Bitlis”

“There was no safe and sustainable transport due to landslides along the route formerly used in this section of the road,” the President said. “Wrapping up the final 4.5-kilometer-long section next year, we will inshallah put this project, whose total length is 50 kilometers, fully into service in such a manner as to significantly contribute to the economic development of the region. Once completed, this road, a main route leading to important border gates of our country such as Gürbulak, Kapıköy, Esendere and Habur, will benefit the whole region along with Bitlis. The fast and comfortable transport enabled by this divided road will bring Bitlis, an ancient residential area of Anatolia, one step closer to the level of economic and social development it deserves.”

“Just as we restored security and peace by scattering the terror cloud over the city, so too we are lifting the barriers in the way of development goals with such infrastructure investments,” the President said, adding that just like Türkiye’s agenda, Bitlis’ agenda as well will be shaped by increasing production, growing employment and rising prosperity.

“Our nation will never tolerate terrorism supporters”

“Notwithstanding those seeking to rejuvenate the old days by harassing our borders and setting terrorist organizations on us, this scenario will inshallah not work,” Erdoğan said. “Never forgetting the past losses and sufferings, our nation will by no means tolerate terrorism supporters. We are initiating the Century of Türkiye in a bid to render the democracy and development infrastructure we have built in our country over the past two decades a launchpad for greater initiatives.” (ILKHA)