Pastureland Rehabilitation Works Carried Out under Construction of Çerkezköy-Kapıkule Section of Halkalı-Kapıkule Railway Line Project

Infrastructure works of the railway construction between Tekirdağ, Çerkezköy and Edirne, Kapıkule are progressing within the scope of Construction of Çerkezköy Kapıkule Section of Halkalı - Kapıkule Railway Line Project.

Topsoil and excess excavation material revealed during the excavation works are stored in suitable areas in the region, where the works are carried out. In this way the objective to use the surplus topsoil and the excavation material in the most beneficial way is ensured as well as   reuse of pastureland that have poor quality, irregular topography, slope, exposed to water or wind erosion is achieved.

Pasture Rehabilitation Works are carried out in line with the protocol prepared in scope of Pasture Law No. 4342 and signed between the Works Contractor responsible for the Railway Construction and the T.R. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

In this context priority is given to determine suitable areas on the Project route and submitted to Provincial Directorate of Agriculture. Afterwards these areas are assessed by the Provincial Pasture Commission and the respective Muhktars appointed by the Governorship of the respective province and the pastureland with poor quality, irregular topography, slope, exposed to water or wind erosion are determined. A pasture rehabilitation and management project is prepared that explains the type of fill and provides the duration to complete the rehabilitation.

Agricultural engineers specialized in pasture rehabilitation are preparing the projects, in addition the remarks of T.R. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Thrace Agricultural Research Institute are taken into consideration. The projects prepared are submitted to the Provincial Pasture Commission and the approval of the Provincial Governorship is obtained. The agreement prepared by the Provincial Pasture Commission regarding the compliance with the approved rehabilitation and management project is signed by the Contractor, and the guarantee amount specified in the project is deposited to the Treasury. The implementation phase starts after the necessary approvals and permissions are obtained.

Before filling in the determined areas, the top soil on the surface is transported to the stock areas, then the land is filled with excess excavation soil and levelled in accordance with the project, and finally, a minimum of 40 cm of topsoil is laid on it. Following this process, pasturelands are made ready for planting with construction machinery according to approved pasture rehabilitation projects. The areas prepared for planting are transformed into high-yielding and high-quality pasturelands by planting perennial forage crops resistant to dry conditions and cold, using agricultural machinery.