Residents and visitors heading to one of Bahrain’s newest housing developments have effectively been left to navigate on their own, according to Northern Municipal Council members, who have unanimously backed a proposal calling for directional and identification signs for Ramli.
The initiative, spearheaded by area councillor Abdulla Ashoor and co-signed by technical committee chairman councillor Jassim Hejres and councillors Tariq Al Farasani and Bassem Abu Idrees, has been referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak.
Despite more than five years since homes in the sprawling development – officially known as the Ramli District – were handed over to citizens, councillors say there are still no major highway signs guiding motorists to the area.
Mr Ashoor described the situation as both surprising and frustrating for residents.
“It is unreasonable that a major housing project accommodating thousands of citizens remains without proper identification signs on the country’s main roads,” he said. “Residents say they constantly receive inquiries from visitors, delivery drivers and service providers who struggle to locate the area because there are no clear directional signs leading to the new town.”
He said efforts to address the issue date back to September 2024, when a request was submitted to the Works Ministry.
The ministry responded that the approval of area names falls under the jurisdiction of the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), while indicating its readiness to instal the signs once the required approvals are in place.
“Since then, correspondence has been sent to the relevant authorities, including reminder letters, but residents are still waiting for a solution,” Mr Ashoor said. “We are simply asking for a basic service that any established residential area should have.”
Mr Al Farasani said the absence of signage is creating unnecessary confusion for motorists approaching the area from different parts of the kingdom.
“Whether people are travelling from King Fahad Causeway, Riffa, Hamad Town or Manama, there are no clear indicators directing them towards Ramli,” he said. “This is not just a matter of convenience. Proper road signage enhances accessibility, improves navigation and supports emergency and public services.”
Mr Abu Idrees stressed that the issue has become increasingly important as the community continues to grow.
“Ramli is no longer a new project waiting to be occupied. It is a thriving residential community that deserves the same level of recognition and infrastructure afforded to other housing developments,” he said.
“Visitors should not have to rely entirely on navigation applications to find a major national housing project.”
The proposal identifies several major roads where councillors believe signs are urgently needed, including Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Highway, Shaikh Salman Highway, Shaikh Zayed Highway and Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway.
Mr Hejres
According to Mr Hejres, the recommendation is practical, inexpensive and long overdue.
“The council fully supports this proposal because it addresses a genuine need raised repeatedly by residents,” he said.
“Road signs are among the most basic elements of urban planning. They help define communities, improve mobility and ensure that residents and visitors can reach their destination safely and efficiently.”
Councillors are now hoping the matter will receive swift approval from the relevant authorities, finally putting Ramli on Bahrain’s road map in more ways than one.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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