A two-month delay in repairing a single road collapse in Hamad Town has triggered criticism from municipal councillors, who warned that the damaged stretch is endangering motorists and pedestrians while causing daily traffic congestion.
Western Hamad Town councillor Abdulla Al Qobaisi said the deteriorating section on Road 554 in Block 1205 should have been treated as an emergency rather than being left with only temporary safety measures.
“Can anyone accept that repairing one hole should take two full months?” Mr Al Qobaisi asked. “This is not a cosmetic issue. It is a road safety hazard that threatens residents every single day.”
According to the councillor, the Works Ministry initially placed a steel plate over the damaged section along with warning barriers, but no permanent repair work has started despite repeated complaints.
“The temporary solution has become a problem in itself,” he said. “Motorists are forced to swerve around the site, effectively reducing the road to a single lane. This creates congestion, confusion and unnecessary danger, particularly during busy periods.”
Mr Al Qobaisi revealed that he first reported the issue through the ministry’s electronic portal on May 13, followed by several telephone calls to officials. After receiving no meaningful response, he submitted an urgent reminder on July 2, but says the situation remains unchanged.
“The delay is simply unacceptable,” he added. “Residents deserve prompt action when public safety is involved, not months of waiting while paperwork moves through administrative channels.”
He warned that the location is particularly sensitive as it is close to a neighbourhood mosque and a Quran learning centre, attracting children, elderly residents and families throughout the day.
Mr Al Qobaisi said inspections indicated that a damaged sewer pipe beneath the road had caused the ground to subside, raising fears that the affected area could expand if repairs continue to be delayed.
“The longer this is left untreated, the greater the risk of further damage to the road infrastructure and vehicles,” he said. “Emergency teams should replace the damaged pipes and completely resurface the road without further delay.”
Backing the call, Northern Municipal Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Dr Salman Abdulla urged the ministry to prioritise infrastructure defects that pose immediate risks to public safety.
“Road failures linked to underground utility networks cannot be treated as routine maintenance jobs,” Dr Abdulla said. “Every day that passes increases the possibility of a larger collapse, higher repair costs and greater inconvenience for residents.”
He stressed that stronger co-ordination between government agencies was needed to ensure faults involving underground services are addressed quickly.
“People judge public services by how rapidly essential problems are resolved,” he said. “Residents expect safe roads, especially in busy residential neighbourhoods where families, schoolchildren and worshippers use these streets every day.”
The councillors have jointly called on the Works Ministry to dispatch emergency maintenance crews immediately, replace the damaged sewer line, restore the affected carriageway and prevent the problem from escalating further.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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