An historic island in Tubli Bay – renowned for its old shrine of a Muslim monk known as Nabih Saleh or ‘Wise Saleh’ dating back to 1784 – could undergo development over the next decade.
In bygone days, worshippers used to visit the shrine for blessings by boat but now, following reclamation work, the journey may soon be made by car to a mosque overlooking the bay.
Capital Trustees Board members unanimously approved yesterday putting the Capital Governorate’s constituency eight, which covers Nabih Saleh, Sitra Industrial Area and Sitra Mahaza Qirya, and Kharjiya, on the infrastructure development priority list.
It followed a presentation on the needs of the area showcased by the board’s projects’ co-ordinator Rabab Saleh. The area is represented by MP Jalila Al Sayed, who is also Parliament’s services committee chairwoman.
The GDN earlier reported that a blanket ban on development in Nabih Saleh will be gradually lifted offering a glimmer of hope after more than three decades of frustration for landowners wishing to build on their plots.
A lack of zoning and infrastructure in the area had thwarted plans and several of the 500 plots on the historic island remain owned by the Jaffari and Sunni Waqf (Endowments) Directorates.
The Housing and Urban Planning Ministry and the Urban Planning Development Authority have recently mapped out classifications for Nabih Saleh covering Blocks 380, 381 and 382.
The Capital Trustees Board, in an earlier meeting, approved reclassification of seven large parcels of land that could see major investments ranging from private hospitals, schools, cinema theatres and a petrol station.
“The island is in need of huge infrastructure development to transform it into an attractive residential area,” said board chairman Saleh Tarradah. “There is no public park, walkway, or jetty,” he added. “Also, street lights appear minable at the entrance of the island and main roads.
“Several building permits continue to be unissued due to the island not having road classifications and this has led to many people encroaching on public and private properties.”
He said that the needs of the area would be referred to the ministers concerned for review. In case financing was not forthcoming, he added, requests for support would be referred to Parliament and the Shura Council to discuss with the government.
Services and public utilities committee chairwoman Huda Sultan said an initial mapping of Nabih Saleh has been presented by the government. However, she added that the proposals still face complexities related to religious properties, which would have to be addressed.
“Things are looking more promising and we hope all issues will be resolved by the year’s end or sooner.
“It remains a site of interest for people in Bahrain and across the region seeking blessings but it could still be carefully developed for the good of all.
“Nabih Saleh currently lacks basic infrastructure, it has few shops and services and people in the area mainly have to drive to Sitra to cater for their needs,” said Ms Sultan.”
Parts of Sitra later came under the spotlight too. Ms Sultan said the Sitra Al Kubra (Grand) Garden was in need of ‘immediate maintenance’. She added that the Qirya Park was in need of repair and a new park was needed for the Kharjiya area. “And, abandoned homes currently used for illegal activities have to be bulldozed immediately in Sitra,” said Ms Sultan.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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