COUNCILLORS are urging the government to start feasibility, environmental and technical studies on a multi-million dinar 23km causeway linking Hawar Islands to Bahrain’s mainland rather than wait until funding is available.
The Southern Municipal Council yesterday unanimously approved an urgent proposal by Hawar Islands’ councillor Hizam Al Dossary to call in bids from consultants for the ambitious project.
“The plan is to get everything in place so the project can progress full steam ahead should funds become available,” Mr Al Dossary said.
Hawar Islands, currently vying for World Heritage Site status, is a protected nature reserve attracting thousands of migratory birds, as well as rare marine species such as the dugong.
Mr Al Dossary said business was picking up on the main island as the tourism sector slowly recovers from the pandemic.
“During the F1 weekend many foreign tourists were attracted to visit and we truly believe this destination has the potential to grow in a protected, environmentally-friendly manner,” he added.
“A causeway would make it more accessible. Currently you can only reach it travelling on a ferry or speedboat.
“Being able to reach it by car or coach would be a game-changer but we appreciate the causeway will not happen overnight and would cost millions of dinars, but let the government start with the necessary studies and see how things develop.”
One option suggested by the council is to build a bridge stretching from the furthest point in the south of Bahrain, Ras Al Bar, to the northwest corner of Hawar.
The same council in March last year approved a proposal for the causeway, but members were informed by Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf that tight government budgets would have to be directed towards more urgent infrastructure projects on the mainland.
The Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Wael Al Mubarak also informed the council that the government had already set aside funding from the national budget to place electricity cables under a secure pathway on the seabed.
Parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Khalid Bu Onk, a former Muharraq municipal council member, backs the call for more studies.
“There has to be feasibility, environmental and technical studies, as requested by the council, to link Hawar to the mainland through a causeway,” said Mr Bu Onk.
“The suggested location from Ras Al Bar to Hawar Islands lies in shallow waters so the studies shouldn’t take long and maybe funding for the project could be secured from the bumper oil sales the kingdom is enjoying?” he added.
“The government is willing to spend millions on the electricity and water pathway and we believe that a causeway, above the power connections, could prove to be a better project. A comparative study could show the costs to be similar.”
As reported by the GDN, a new eco-tourism-themed beach resort offering overwater villas and having its own helipad is set to open on Hawar Islands in 2024.
Announcing the Mantis Bahrain Hawar Island Hotel & Resort, Edamah, the real-estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, said the property would be situated on the west coast of the island and be surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary, making it a ‘one-of-a-kind destination in the Middle East’.
The announcement follows an agreement between Edamah and AccorHotels Group, which has the conservation-focused Mantis brand in its portfolio.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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