SHODDY work has been blamed for cracks in the paving at Bahrain’s biggest garden in Muharraq which reopened to the public just last month, after 15 years.
The long-neglected Muharraq Grand Garden, or Al Kubra Garden, was closed in 2006 and two attempts to involve private investors in its revival – in 2007 and 2012 – failed.
However, the new-look landmark facility was reopened after a revamp costing BD3.18 million. The park now features a children’s play area, shaded family areas and a 1km walkway, along which 22 physical fitness equipment have been installed.
But the Muharraq Municipal Council yesterday voted to launch an immediate investigation along with the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry officials after cracks started to appear in the paving.
Council chairman Ghazi Al Murbati, who visited the garden on Sunday and posted a video on his Instagram page, claimed cheap and untreated sand was used for levelling.
He also alleged that low-priced tiles were placed on top of the sand, with the video showing him lifting off the tiles.
“The sand and tiles are of substandard quality; they are worse than the worst quality material from China,” said Mr Al Murbati.
“The sub-contractor just took sand straight from the sea and without putting it through a proper washing process used it to level the ground in the garden.
“On top of that he placed the cheap tiles.
“The park opened just a month ago. A proper investigation needs to be carried out and action taken against people responsible for this mess besides having the place fixed immediately.”
Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman and area councillor Bassem Al Majdami said the sand and tiles started breaking away much before heavy showers around two weeks ago.
Muharraq Municipality director-general Ibrahim Al Jowder said the main contractor’s guarantee expired last month, but the deal with the responsible contractor for the ground was still on.
“We are aware of the damages even before the heavy rains; they will be covered by the company responsible for the garden’s ground,” Mr Al Jowder said.
“Work will start to fix the damages and ensure they are not repeated.
“We are still waiting for the official handover from the ministry to fully manage the garden, but even then we are not quiet about anything that we may see wrong there.”
The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry said in a statement last night that only five per cent of tiles had been damaged and that they will be replaced by the contractor.
“The tiles were fixed at the end of 2020 and not two months ago,” the ministry pointed out.
“Building materials used are always tested before use.”
The ministry added that maintenance is conducted on all gardens, parks, walkways and beaches, new and old, to ensure that services are not damaged or disrupted.
The GDN reported last month that a massive amusement park could be set up at the revamped garden.
The council approved the proposal to set up an attractive recreational facility and lease it to investors for a 25-year period.
Councillors also approved another proposal to lease a part of the garden for a Dinosaur theme park for a period of six months.
The parking lot at the revamped park can accommodate 550 cars while 33 CCTV cameras have been placed across the garden.
It also features a ‘dancing’ fountain on an arc covering 350sqm besides various types of shrubs, palms and local fruit trees such as lemon, almond and cactus.
More than 150 jojoba trees have also been planted, along with more than 1,000 date palms and ornamental palms.
Visitors to the garden, near Bahrain International Airport, will be charged 300 fils as an entry fee and 100 fils for using the restroom.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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