Residents of the historic village of Al Dair in the Muharraq Governorate are calling for improved connectivity following the opening of the northern section of the Ring Road.
In response to mounting concerns, the Muharraq Municipal Council has unanimously approved a proposal to establish an official entrance and exit to the highway to better serve the local community.
A formal request signed by 18 residents from Dair Block 231 was submitted to the council, urging immediate action.
Residents also requested that the current unofficial connection to the highway, located behind the Dair Club, be retained and upgraded into a proper access point.
“We cannot continue to be isolated,” said the council’s technical committee chairman Fadhel Al Oud, who is also Dair and Samaheej councillor. “For too long, Dair residents have been trapped by the Bahrain International Airport’s traffic systems and restricted routes. The new Ring Road was supposed to open up access, not complicate it further.”
Mr Al Oud revealed that he had paid from his own resources to commission engineering, consultancy and technical assessments of the proposal. These independent studies, he said, confirmed the safety, feasibility and reliability of creating formal access points to the highway.
“We consulted respected engineers and technical experts who verified that the project can be carried out safely and with minimal disruption,” Mr Al Oud explained.
“This wasn’t just a popular demand – it was a technically sound, community-backed solution.”
For residents of Al Dair, the issue is more than just convenience; it is about reconnecting their village with ease to Muharraq and the rest of the kingdom.
“Having to navigate congested airport traffic just to reach our homes is not sustainable,” said resident Adel Salman, who spearheaded the official request. “The Ring Road passes right by us. It’s only fair that we are allowed to use it properly like any other area.”
Mr Al Oud agreed, stressing that organised access would enhance traffic flow, improve safety and support economic and social activities in Dair.
“This project isn’t just about roads; it’s about dignity, accessibility and respect for our community,” said Mr Al Oud.
During its meeting at the Muharraq Municipality headquarters in Busaiteen, the Muharraq Municipal Council voted unanimously to approve the proposal.
The council has formally referred the matter to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak, requesting him to escalate it to Works Minister Ibrahim Al Hawaj, for technical review and implementation.
“This council stands firmly with the people of Al Dair,” said council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar.
“Their request is both logical and urgent.
“Al Dair is a historic community with specific needs, and ensuring direct, organised access to the Ring Road is essential for their mobility, safety and quality of life.”
Mr Al Naar stressed that the council expects the relevant ministries to act quickly.
“We have done our part in terms of study, assessment, and community consultation.
“Now it is time for the Works Ministry to respond positively and expedite this vital project,” he said.
“We pledge to continue following up on the request until it is formally addressed by the executive authorities.”
The village is famed for its archaeological significance. Thanks to a joint effort by a British-Bahraini archaeological team, details emerged about the oldest Christian building in Bahrain dating back to the fourth century.
Located in Samaheej, the eight-room building, thought to be the home of the bishop of the diocese, provides the first material evidence of an ancient Christian community in the region, between the mid-4th and mid-8th centuries CE, as confirmed by radiocarbon dating.
There is also a historic Al Rahib Mosque in Dair, located in Block 232, popularly known among locals as Fareej Al Rahib – which means ‘neighbourhood of the monk’. It is located in an area once inhabited by Christians; in fact, Dair is the Arabic word for ‘monastery’.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))