FINES of up to BD500 could be imposed for occupying public roads illegally.
Currently, under the 1996 Occupancy of Public Roads Law, violators are being charged BD20.
The Shura Council is set to debate during its weekly session on Sunday amendments to the law which would see the fine increased to between BD50 and BD500.
Failure to remove structures, material or items on the road would also see an additional daily fine double of the original fee amount charged for the road occupation service.
If the given deadline given by the municipal inspector is not met then the municipality would remove the violation with the violator being made to foot the bill.
However, if the violator agrees to remove the violation within a set deadline then the fine will be just BD50.
Under the proposed amendments, people will also be able to apply for temporary permits to use the road.
Permits
“The permits include using the road for construction and building material and equipment, putting large items outside to be loaded or shipped, or having things including tents for weddings, parties and celebrations,” said public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Dr Mohammed Hassan.
“If there is no reply from the concerned municipality within 15 days the request is considered rejected in which case the applicant can write to the municipal grievance committee or take the case to court.”
Dr Hassan, a former Northern Municipality director-general, said the amendments aim to achieve order by striking a balance.
“Road occupancy permits won’t be issued if it breaches public security, morality, health, traffic or image,” he said.
Meanwhile, the upper chamber of the National Assembly is set to reject proposed amendments to the 1989 Human Medicine and Dentistry Law that would see all medics, including support staff, insured against errors.
The government has asked that the legislation be put aside as it was working on massive changes to the same law.
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