A CALL has gone out to set up more community projects and facilities in Bahrain’s first-ever urban locality to meet the expected surge in population by 2030.
The Muharraq Municipal Council is seeking a boost in infrastructure following a study by the Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA), which estimates the Muharraq Governorate’s population to rise to around 119,000 in seven years.
The study found that the area would require 21 educational facilities to cater to the population – including seven primary schools, three secondary boys’ schools, a technical school, eight nurseries and kindergartens, and four private schools.
It also revealed that Muharraq would require two health centres, a maternity hospital, 38 playgrounds and seven mosques besides two social centres, two youth centres, three cultural centres and two children development centres. The need for more fuel stations and a shopping complex was also highlighted.
The study was prepared following a request by the council to identity future needs and was handed over by Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi, who is also politically responsible for UPDA.
Meanwhile, Ms Al Romaihi said, in a written reply to the council, that a proposal for a new shopping complex in Busaiteen had been rejected owing to planning and technical incompatibilities. However, that doesn’t mean that Busaiteen or the Muharraq Governorate do not need a shopping complex, she added.
“If people insist on the particular shopping complex, the landowner will have to comply with tougher requirements with the ministry continuing to have the final say in the project,” she added.
Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar said Muharraq was in need of several community projects to cater to the needs of the population.
“Delaying projects and facilities would make things worse for the 119,000 people and we are not saying that the government should take up the full package. It just needs to have a target that can be met,” pointed out Mr Al Naar.
“We understand that the government is going through a rough financial patch, despite making a surplus last year as it still needs to repay pending loans, but it should at least allocate funds for a project in each category through ministries and government bodies,” he added.
Mr Al Naar said Muharraq should be on top of the development list since it is the first area that a visitor sees after leaving Bahrain International Airport.
“We are not saying that other governorates should be pushed back, there has to be a balance, but priority has to be given to Muharraq since it gives the first impression of the country to tourists,” he added.
Muharraq has a long history with the northern island being a major centre of Christianity from circa 4th to 7th century AD. Around this time Christians in the region were reportedly targeted by the Byzantine Empire and the Nestorian Christians of the Church of the East found a safe-haven in Bahrain. Archaeological evidence is still being uncovered today that further supports this.
The GDN reported last year that Bahrain’s oldest suq was set to be turned into a state-of-the-art market boulevard with a traditional twist capturing the ambience of its glorious former port trading history.
The council unanimously approved plans to spend BD1.41 million on revamps to the Old Muharraq Suq. It will include new pedestrian walkways and sidewalks at a cost of BD407,287, greenery and beautification at BD597,120, relocating water pipes at a cost of BD12,850 and new lighting at BD20,280.
The project, which will stretch 620 metres on Shaikh Hamad Avenue, will be carried out by the Works Ministry in partnership with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.
Bahraini historian Hussain Al Mahdi had earlier pointed out that the suq was at least 240 years old, highlighting the fact that Muharraq was Bahrain’s original capital, prior to Manama.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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