An abandoned, crumbling house in Saar has become a growing concern for residents, with councillors warning that the hazardous property is attracting insects and rodents, accumulating rubbish and potentially threatening public safety.
The Northern Municipal Council has unanimously approved an urgent proposal to speed up the removal of asbestos from the dilapidated property beside house 439 on Road 2113, Block 521.
The proposal was presented by area councillor Tariq Al Farsani alongside three other councillors, following months of correspondence with the Northern Municipality over the building’s condition and the delay in removing it.
The approved proposal has been referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak to forward it to Oil and Environment Minister and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs Dr Mohammed Bin Daina for review and the necessary action.
Mr Al Farsani said the building had remained standing despite being declared structurally unsound, with the presence of asbestos complicating demolition procedures.
He warned that the deteriorating property had become a dumping ground for waste and debris, producing foul odours and providing a potential breeding ground for insects and rodents.
The councillor also highlighted the danger of parts of the building collapsing, particularly for children, residents and passers-by.
He said the prolonged delay had affected the area’s appearance and raised concerns about public health, the surrounding environment and the possibility of people entering the abandoned property and using it unsafely.
“For Saar residents living near the abandoned house, the priority is to ensure that the hazardous material is removed safely and that the long-awaited demolition can finally proceed,” said Mr Al Farasani.
According to the proposal, Mr Al Farsani first wrote to the Northern Municipality’s director-general on May 11, followed by a reminder on August 10.
In its response, the municipality confirmed that a field inspection had found the building structurally unsound and that procedures had been initiated under the applicable regulations.
However, the presence of asbestos meant that additional arrangements were needed to ensure the hazardous material could be removed safely by the competent authorities before demolition proceeded.
Northern Municipality director-general Mohammed Al Sehli said asbestos required particularly careful handling because disturbing the material could release dangerous fibres into the air.
He explained that the building could not simply be torn down like an ordinary structure, stressing that specialists from the Supreme Council for Environment must be involved in its safe removal.
“Asbestos is only dangerous when it is disturbed. The removal of this hazardous house requires specialists from the Supreme Council for Environment and sensitive, strict arrangements to ensure the material is handled safely,” Mr Al Sehli said.
He said the necessary procedures had to be followed before the municipality could proceed with demolition, given the risks associated with releasing asbestos fibres during the work.
Asbestos-containing materials can remain relatively low-risk when intact and undisturbed. However, damage, deterioration or demolition can release microscopic fibres that, if inhaled, may cause serious diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, sometimes decades after exposure.
The material should be handled by trained specialists using appropriate containment and removal procedures rather than through uncontrolled demolition.
The councillors’ proposal calls for the Supreme Council for Environment to expedite the necessary arrangements, allowing the Northern Municipality to take the required action against the deteriorating property.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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