A call to accelerate demolition and clean-up works at old social housing blocks in Isa Town has been issued by the Southern Municipal Council, amid mounting concerns over public health and safety.
Isa Town councillor Abdulla Darraj said rubble from partially demolished buildings has been left unattended for months, despite work having begun in August last year.
“The delay in clearing debris is unacceptable,” he said. “These sites have effectively been left open, creating an unhealthy and unsafe environment for nearby residents.”
Mr Darraj warned that the abandoned rubble has led to a surge in pests, with rodents, reptiles and insects increasingly invading surrounding homes after being displaced from their habitats.
“Families in the area are suffering. This is no longer just a construction issue – it is a public health concern,” he added.
He also raised alarm over illegal activities taking place inside some unsecured buildings, noting the discovery of drug-related paraphernalia as well as discarded personal items of a sensitive nature, reflecting the misuse of these abandoned sites.
“These buildings, which are awaiting demolition, have become hotspots for illicit behaviour,” Mr Darraj said. “This is putting the safety of residents, especially children, at serious risk.”
He called for urgent intervention from the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry, as well as the Interior Ministry, to secure the sites and expedite both demolition and clean-up operations.
Backing the call, Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif stressed the importance of swift action to prevent further deterioration of conditions.
“We fully support the concerns raised and urge the relevant authorities to act immediately,” he said. “Delays in such projects undermine public confidence and expose communities to unnecessary risks.”
The demolition works are part of a broader government plan to redevelop ageing residential blocks in Isa Town, within a comprehensive housing initiative aimed at providing modern accommodation for citizens.
Authorities have previously highlighted that the old apartment buildings were no longer suitable for families. Under the redevelopment scheme, thousands of new housing units are planned across Bahrain using ‘next-generation’ residential designs, offering fully-serviced communities to meet growing demand.
In Isa Town specifically, the project involves demolishing 103 existing apartments as part of the ongoing efforts to remove old residential buildings overlooking Road 1532, within a comprehensive development project aimed at providing new housing for citizens.
The Housing and Urban Planning Ministry had previously explained that these buildings had become old and unfit for living, in addition to the high and impractical cost of maintaining them, which necessitated their inclusion in the demolition and redevelopment plan.
The ministry added that the concept of the residential strip project is based on constructing 6,750 ownership apartments within integrated residential communities equipped with full services and facilities, using a new generation of apartment designs across various locations in the kingdom. The project is expected to meet thousands of housing requests from eligible citizens.
As for Isa Town in particular, the redevelopment following the demolition of 103 housing units will form part of a residential strip facing the Bahrain Metro project.
The development will include 720 apartments, with a total built-up area of approximately 253,973sqm on a land area of 64,682.8sqm, giving the area a modern and distinctive urban and architectural character.
However, councillors insist that the success of the long-term vision hinges on addressing immediate on-ground issues. “Development should not come at the expense of residents’ safety today,” Mr Abdullatif said.
“We need faster action – not just plans for tomorrow.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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