The renovation of Sitra Central Market is progressing steadily, with construction work now 80 per cent complete, according to the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry.
Spanning 8,678sqm, the upgraded market will feature 32 fruit and vegetable stalls, 32 fish stalls, and 20 retail outlets, including a dedicated meat market, along with a designated fish-cleaning area.
It will include facilities for both vendors and customers, including 63 parking spaces and accessibility features for people with disabilities.
The progress of the project was reviewed during a site visit by a number of officials, who inspected the ongoing construction works at the market.
The delegation included Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak, municipalities affairs Under-Secretary Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, along with MPs Mohsen Al Asbool and Jalila Al Sayed. Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah, board director-general Alya Yousif and other trustees were also present.
“The development of central markets is part of the ministry’s efforts to enhance public facilities and provide a modern, organised environment for both buyers and sellers,” the minister said in a statement.
“These projects aim to upgrade infrastructure and market facilities in line with current standards while meeting the needs of residents in Sitra and neighbouring areas.”
Officials were briefed on the latest progress of the project, which is nearing completion.
“The Sitra market revamp is one of the projects that the people of the area are looking forward to,” Ms Al Sayed said.
Mr Al Asbool described the renovation of the facility as a significant addition to the region, while Mr Tarradah noted that the project has been closely monitored by the Capital Trustees Board throughout its development.
The revamp follows years of concern over the deteriorating condition of the marketplace, largely attributed to a lack of funding.
For two decades, residents of Sitra, along with parliamentarians and municipal officials, have been calling for the market to be maintained, renovated and remodelled. Momentum gathered in 2024 when a comprehensive redevelopment plan was presented.
In March that year, the Capital Trustees Board unanimously approved the Works Ministry’s renovation plans but rejected the proposed BD200,000 allocation. They called on the government to either increase funding or look into other viable options for carrying out the improvement project.
The market was eventually included in the national budget as part of a wider initiative by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry to modernise Bahrain’s major central markets.
Once completed, the revamped facility is expected to serve around 100,000 residents in the area. It also complements a broader programme of infrastructure and public utility upgrades currently underway across Sitra Island.
Sitra is one of six central markets in Bahrain, alongside those in Manama, Muharraq, Jidhafs, East Riffa and Nuwaidrat.
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