Bahrain's skyline could soon be cleared of old, rusty satellite dishes under a new campaign launched by the Capital Trustees Board.
The initiative, spearheaded by board chairman Saleh Tarradah, aims to have all unused or dilapidated dishes removed from rooftops and building façades by the end of the year.
Mr Tarradah argued that the neglected dishes have become an eyesore, tarnishing the image of neighbourhoods across Bahrain and undermining the country’s broader efforts to present a modern, clean aesthetic.
“These rusty satellite dishes don’t just serve no purpose, they actively damage the appearance of our beautiful capital and the whole of Bahrain,” he said.
“Many of these dishes haven’t been used for years. Instead, they’ve become spots for birds or are just there rusting away.”
He stressed that the visual pollution created by these obsolete installations reflects poorly on the kingdom, particularly with ongoing national efforts to beautify streets, public spaces and urban areas.
“We are working hard to improve the urban landscape of Bahrain. But when you have rooftops cluttered with rusty, broken dishes, it sends the wrong message,” he added.
Under the proposal, property owners would be encouraged, or potentially required, to either remove the unused dishes entirely or replace them with modern alternatives if they are still subscribing to satellite services.
“Of course, we understand that some residents still use satellite TV,” said Mr Tarradah.
“For them, we recommend updating to newer equipment that’s both functional and visually acceptable. But for the rest, there’s no reason to keep these metal relics of the past.”
The proposal has already received positive reactions from several board members, who see it as part of a broader effort to revitalise the capital’s urban environment.
Backing the move, the board’s financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Dr Abdulhassan Al Dairy highlighted the initiative’s alignment with national development strategies and stressed the importance of implementing proper regulations.
“This is not just a cosmetic matter,” said Dr Al Dairy.
“We need to introduce clear mechanisms that oblige property owners, especially in residential buildings and commercial towers, to remove these outdated dishes. We are not talking about isolated cases; this is a widespread issue across the capital and Bahrain in general.”
Dr Al Dairy also suggested that formal notifications should be issued to building owners, with deadlines for compliance and potential penalties for those who fail to act.
Meanwhile, board member Mohammed Al Abbas said the initiative should be part of a comprehensive clean-up strategy targeting other forms of visual pollution across Bahrain, including uncollected garbage, broken signboards and abandoned vehicles.
“Old satellite dishes are just the beginning,” said Mr Al Abbas. “We need a city-wide strategy that covers all elements that mar the urban view. We’re not only aiming for a better-looking city, but also healthier and safer neighbourhoods.”
He said that the board is ready to work closely with the Works Ministry, Electricity and Water Authority, and the private sector to co-ordinate efforts.
“We are fully behind this proposal, and we will push for its quick implementation,” he stressed.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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