.jpg?20260326')
Councillors have called for clearer demolition rules in Muharraq amid concerns over public safety and the risks posed by derelict buildings.
The Muharraq Municipal Council has recommended that the government clarify the mechanism for issuing administrative demolition decisions for old and abandoned properties.
Muharraq Municipality director-general Khalid Al Gallaf said that there was a process to determine whether buildings qualified as heritage sites.
Mr Al Gallaf
“The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) assesses buildings aged between 50 and 100 years or older to determine their historical value,” he explained.
“This evaluation is done in co-ordination with the Survey and Land Registration Bureau to confirm the age of the structure.”
A joint committee of the municipal executive authority and Baca studies the historical and architectural significance of each building before making a decision on whether it should be preserved or can be demolished.
A neighbourhood of old homes in Muharraq
“There is no objection to demolishing buildings less than 50 years old, provided there is prior approval following constructional assessment,” he said.
“As for heritage buildings, we study whether they require restoration or partial demolition.
“If partial demolition is considered, an engineer must be appointed because the entire structure could be affected.”
Despite these procedures, council members voiced frustrations with the delays in securing demolition approvals, warning that dangerous buildings could collapse, especially during the upcoming Ashoora processions in the densely populated old neighbourhoods of the governorate.
Mr Al Sayed
“Muharram is next month and there are road processions to mark Ashoora, and God knows what could happen in packed old alleyways,” said the council’s services and public utilities committee chairman and Bahrain International Airport area councillor Abdulqader Al Sayed.
“Parts of buildings and homes have regularly fallen on passers-by; we don’t want to see people get hurt.”
Mr Al Mahmood
Busaiteen councillor Mohammed Al Mahmood demanded swift action to address an abandoned government building in his area that has become a hotspot for alleged illegal and immoral activities.
Old homes ... fear of collapse
“The building is in a derelict state and poses a real danger to the public,” he warned.
Old Muharraq (Station) councillor Dalal Al Meghawi pointed to a deeper issue behind the growing number of abandoned and collapsing buildings.
Ms Al Meghawi
“Many of these homes and buildings have deteriorated simply because their owners can’t afford to repair them according to the strict specifications set by Baca,” she said.
“In other cases, the responsible government body may have been relocated and forgotten about the property entirely.”
Mr Al Naar
Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar said the calls for reform reflect a growing tension between heritage preservation and the urgent need to ensure public safety in older neighbourhoods.
“We believe that the current framework, while well-intentioned, lacks the agility needed to address real-time dangers posed by crumbling structures,” he said.
“As the summer months approach and foot traffic increases, we councillors hope for an expedited review process and clearer demolition guidelines to prevent future tragedies.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))