A LANDMARK traditional market could see its roads revamped and parking spaces expanded to improve the shopping experience.
The Southern Municipal Council yesterday unanimously approved a proposal by area councillor Mubarak Faraj to start roadworks at the Isa Town Market complex early next year.
Under the proposal, some internal roads would also be rearranged into one-way in a ring shape, with more car parks allocated, pavements constructed, and traffic signs erected.
The plan has been referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak, who will forward it to Works Minister Ibrahim Al Hawaj for review.
The complex was designated as a tourist destination in 2016, but delays in improving its condition have hindered efforts to promote it.
The GDN announced in August this year that the much-awaited facelift for the market has been allegedly put on hold after a decade of administrative and financial delays.
The Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry announced in June last year that the marketplace would be revamped with thermal insulation and air-conditioning set up for BD1.4 million.
However, councillors were told that the plan has been shelved since it has not been included in the 2023-24 national budget.
“The Isa Town Traditional Market is highly popular, not just amongst citizens and residents, but also among people travelling from the Gulf, for what it offers,” Mr Faraj said at the council meeting yesterday.
“As much as we love business and interest in the market, the place is hectic; traffic flow is so bad and people are either double parking or parking on the pavements,” he added.
“It is true that the main project has been shelved, or delayed indefinitely, however, improving the roads would be much easier and it will ensure a better shopping experience.
“We are looking to organise the entrances and ex-its, and allot more parking spaces amongst other infrastructure necessities that would develop the place and make it a more favourable destination.”
The complex has 1,200 registered shops selling antiques, furniture, electronics and household items besides a hypermarket and wholesale sellers.
The current traditional marketplace sprang up around 100 metres from its original location in 2014 following a massive blaze in which hundreds of shop owners were affected. An earlier blaze in July 2012 similarly wreaked havoc at the complex.
The council’s technical committee chairman Ahmed Al Abdulla pointed out that the government had made arrangements to improve roads inside the market years ago. However, he added, that it was not enough.
“The road arrangements done around a decade ago tackled traffic flow and parking problems then, but today, the market sees huge business and needs better infrastructure,” said Mr Al Abdulla.
“The roadworks project will certainly give the market a better look, reduce complaints of inadequate parking, and allow traders to conduct business easier with special loading areas.
“The market has the potential to become much better, it just needs attention, and hopefully the roadworks will begin early next year, in the run-up to the highest business season – Ramadan.”
The Isa Town market is the first modern market in the Gulf, opened in 1968 when the first batch of residents moved to the area, which has been termed the Gulf’s oldest ‘modern-style’ residential city.
The original market is the third oldest in the country after Muharraq and Manama, respectively, which were founded more than 200 years ago.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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