A SECURITY complex could be built in a newly inhabited town as thousands of families are currently moving there.
Proposed for Salman Town, formerly known as the Northern Town, it would include a police station, traffic, nationality, passports, residence, smart card and certificate of good conduct services.
The proposal for the new complex was approved unanimously by members of Bahrain’s biggest municipal council comprising of 12 members during its regular meeting yesterday at its headquarters in Budaiya.
It has been presented by constituency two (Budaiya, Jasra, and parts of Salman Town and Hamala) councillor Mohammed Al Dossary.
The population of the town is expected to grow to 90,000 when all planned man-made islands are completed.
Thirty-one places of worship, 63 educational institutions and 14 health facilities are among the projects planned for the town, which was inaugurated in May 2018 by His Majesty King Hamad.
Plans for the man-made islands include a maritime centre, cultural hall, sports stadium, a central park, two wildlife gardens, 100 small parks, a 2.5 square kilometre coast, 31sq km of public beach and walkways covering a total of 120sq km.
The 31 religious centres include nine regular sized mosques, two Islamic centres and two small mosques.
The 63 educational facilities include a university, eight secondary schools, five intermediate schools, 13 primary schools and 36 nurseries and kindergartens.
Health facilities will include a general hospital, five health centres and eight clinics, while there will also be a police station, a fire station and a Coastguard station.
Community-related developments include a petrol station, a bus station, a multipurpose hall, an elderly care centre, a post office and three general service centres.
A huge water tank, a water treatment station, two power plants, one sewage plant, a sewage station and 19 telecom masts are also planned.
The private sector will also have a chance to tap into the new market, with spaces for commercial activities.
“The comprehensive centre would help provide people with all of their security needs under one roof without the need of going to multiple places across the country,” said Mr Al Dossary.
“It is true that online has helped quicken up those services and ensure they are done in comfort,” he added.
“However, there are still many services that require actual attendance, or are emergencies, accidents and crimes.
“The new centre wouldn’t just serve Salman Town residents, but the whole Northern Governorate, which already has the highest population density in the country, reflected by the highest number of representatives within any council in the country.”
He added that the 12,919 sqm plot suggested for the project is originally earmarked by the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry for a normal police station.
However, Mr Al Dossary believes that the existing Budaiya Police Station was enough.
“I am not saying that we don’t need a separate police station for 90,000 people, but it shouldn’t be just for that purpose, and it has to provide more taking into account future needs,” he said.
“It should have traffic, nationality, passports, residence, smart card and certificate of good conduct services and whatever is considered as security-related dealings in future.”
The proposal will be now forwarded to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak to forward to Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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