Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that teams are working 24/7 to ensure safe transportation during the winter months. Minister Uraloğlu stated, “A total of 18,407 personnel and 14,263 vehicles are on duty on air, land, and railways for snow fight.”
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu issued a written statement regarding snow removal efforts at highways, railways, and airports. Minister Uraloğlu said, “A total of 18,407 personnel and 14,263 vehicles are on duty on air, land, and railways for snow fight. Our teams work 7 days a week, conducting inspections.”
“Approximately 800 Personnel and a Total of 463 State-of-the-Art Vehicles Are Ready within DHMİ”
Stating that all precautions have been taken against snowfall and cold weather conditions at airports, Minister Uraloğlu said, “Within the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ), approximately 800 personnel and a total of 463 state-of-the-art vehicles are prepared for snow fighting and anti-icing efforts. Our teams intervene quickly when necessary to prevent disruption of aviation activities. We conduct our snow fighting and anti-icing efforts at our airports operated by DHMİ in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.”
“We Are Clearing the Runway-Aprons-Taxway Areas of Snow and Ice”
Emphasizing that the majority of flight operations at airports, where winter is rainy and temperatures frequently drop below zero, consist of snow removal efforts, Minister Uraloğlu said, “To ensure safe take-offs and landings of aircraft in intense winter conditions and to carry out aviation activities safely, we are clearing the runway, apron, and taxiway areas of snow and ice.”
4,000 Personnel Work On Site 24/7 in Railways
Providing information about measures taken on railways, Minister Uraloğlu stated that they have established coordination centers at the General Directorate of TCDD and nine Regional Directorates. Uraloğlu said, “Through these centers, we monitor weather events in real-time and determine necessary precautions. We rapidly direct our mobile teams working in rural areas based on these decisions.”
He continued, noting that teams are working continuously 24/7 on a railway network spanning 13,919 kilometers:
“Our teams clear accumulated snow along the line, open switch areas, and continuously perform line inspections. As part of snow fight efforts, approximately 4,000 personnel along with rotating snowplows, snow blowers, and emergency response vehicles, totaling 914 technical vehicles, are ready.”
12,886 Machines and Equipment, 13,607 Personnel on Roadways
Minister Uraloğlu stated that teams on highways will continue snow and ice fighting efforts to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for citizens. Uraloğlu added, “These efforts will be carried out on the entire national road network through 457 snow fighting centers, with 12,886 machines and equipment and 13,607 personnel.”
930 Kilometers of Snow Barriers Established
Explaining that 757 thousand tons of salt, 453 thousand cubic meters of salt aggregate, and 12 thousand tons of salt solution for critical sections are stored in snow fighting centers for use in the efforts, Uraloğlu said, “A total of 930 kilometers of snow barriers have been constructed in regions where traffic flow is hampered or closed due to snowstorms and winds. Our snow fighting centers also monitor routes, snow fighting operations, opened and closed roads, and real-time traffic through intelligent transportation centers via route analysis.”
Speaking about the monitoring of routes, snow fighting operations, and traffic through intelligent centers, Minister Uraloğlu said, “Fixed cameras at key crossings monitor weather and road conditions from the General Directorate of Highways and Regional Centers. In critical sections, 1,700 snow fighting vehicles are monitored with cameras, and 6,000 snow fighting vehicles are tracked via Vehicle Tracking System, ensuring effective snow management.”
