Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa chaired the 312th meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Development Projects and Infrastructure.
He directed the Works Ministry to open the northern Isa Town Interchange Bridge to traffic in the coming days following completion of construction works on the 840-metre dual bridge, while work continues to complete the remainder of the project according to the approved schedule.
The committee praised the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry for removing several unlicensed private structures in Ramli District as part of implementing the area’s approved master plan.
It also reviewed the Works Minister’s recent visit to Muharraq to assess progress on projects being implemented under the Muharraq Development Project.
The committee praised Bahrain’s statement delivered by Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi during the high-level meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York to review progress on implementing the New Urban Agenda. It noted Bahrain’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and the New Urban Agenda targets through 2036.
The committee welcomed the launch of a package of advanced digital government services developed jointly by the Survey and Land Registration Bureau, the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry and the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry as part of the government’s comprehensive digital transformation programme.
The committee expressed its wishes for the kingdom’s continued security, stability and prosperity under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
It condemned the repeated Iranian attacks targeting civilian facilities and critical infrastructure in the kingdom.
The panel expressed its appreciation to the Bahrain Defence Force, the National Guard, the Interior Ministry and all military, security and civilian authorities for their dedicated efforts in safeguarding the kingdom.
The committee approved the following:
- Renewing the concession agreement with the Bahrain Public Transport Company, the current operator of the public transport network, until 2030, and approving a phased pilot programme to introduce electric buses, beginning with two buses this year and expanding to a total of 35 buses by 2030.
- Assigning the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry to proceed with establishing a new marine berth to receive construction material shipments.
- Assigning the Supreme Council for Environment’s Executive Authority to regulate the licensed use of traditional fish traps (hadhrah) from a legal perspective in preparation for offering a number of them through public auctions at various locations across the kingdom.
- Adopting the Engineering Guide for Landscaping and Tree Planting to enhance the urban landscape through unified standards and designs for public spaces, while tasking the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry with implementing the guide as a comprehensive reference for sustainable technical and agricultural specifications.
Shaikh Khalid
The committee also reviewed the Survey and Land Registration Bureau’s performance report for the first half of 2026, which showed a 12 per cent increase in property registration and subdivision transactions compared with the same period last year, alongside a 14pc rise in mortgage transactions.
The report also showed that 91pc of transactions are now processed electronically, while the time required to issue digital title deeds has been reduced to five working days, with certificates issued immediately after payment of fees. The committee noted the importance of the bureau’s data in supporting urban planning and decision-making.
The committee further reviewed the operational status of the electricity and water sectors, including the readiness of national networks and production facilities, as well as water reserves and distribution indicators.
It commended the Electricity and Water Affairs Ministry and the Electricity and Water Authority for ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies across the kingdom, particularly during the summer peak demand period.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee noted the launch of a public tender for the 4.1-km King Faisal Highway Development Project, extending from Al Farooq Junction to Al Fateh Junction, aimed at improving traffic flow through road widening and the construction of multi-level interchanges.
The committee also noted that the Works Ministry will begin trial operations in early August at the expanded North Sitra Wastewater Treatment Plant, which incorporates Hybrid Activated Sludge (HYBACS) technology.
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