Bahrain’s public beaches and waterfronts must remain open to everyone reaffirmed a top municipal official, even as authorities move to tackle unruly behaviour with a lock and chain at a controversial coastal site in Salman Town that residents say has turned into a late-night party hotspot.
Nicknamed by locals as the country’s ‘steamiest beach’, the troubled stretch of shoreline has become the focus of an urgent municipal push to restore calm, protect families and curb alcohol-fuelled gatherings that have sparked mounting complaints and community anger.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry Municipal Affairs Under-Secretary Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa was commenting on a proposal to fence off Property No 05032401, located in Block 581 in Salman Town, which was unanimously approved by the Northern Municipal Council in December.
Shaikh Mohammed
In his written response, Shaikh Mohammed stressed that the general policy in Bahrain is for public beaches and waterfronts to remain accessible to the public. However, since the site in question is considered a waterfront investment property, he said the municipal council may co-ordinate with the relevant security authorities to address any abnormal behaviour or illegal practices taking place there, in accordance with established laws and regulations.
The proposal was submitted by area councillor Mohammed Al Dossary, who said the site has become a magnet for unruly party-goers, disturbing residents and damaging the environment.
“We have received multiple complaints from families in Salman Town who are deeply upset by what is happening,” said Mr Al Dossary. “People are driving onto the coast, staying there late into the night, playing loud music and leaving behind hundreds of empty cans of alcohol. The situation has become unacceptable.”
Residents blame repeated nightly gatherings for creating what they described as a ‘dangerous, noisy and morally questionable environment’, as highlighted earlier in the GDN.
Mr Al Dossary said the property has already been earmarked for future development following an earlier proposal to upgrade the coastal strip and provide facilities that would attract families.
The government previously responded that it had no objection in principle to the development and that it would be included in a new works programme once budget allocations became available. Preliminary designs are currently being prepared by the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry and will be shared with the council once completed.
Despite the long-term plans, Mr Al Dossary insists immediate action is essential. “The site, in its current condition, is unsafe for children, families and visitors,” he warned. “There is inadequate lighting and no supervision, which has led to disturbing – and at times immoral – behaviour.
Mr Al Dossary
“Fencing the property is necessary to protect public safety until development begins, in my opinion.”
He added that the problem has grown beyond a nuisance into a public safety concern.
“When people drive directly onto the beach, rev their engines, gather in large groups and leave behind rubbish and empty alcohol cans, it harms the environment and the community,” he claimed.
Mr Al Dossary stressed that the aim is not to permanently close the beach. “Our goal is not to block public access forever,” he said. “It is to ensure the area is safe, clean and respected until its development transforms it into a high-quality coastal destination for all.”
Northern Municipality director-general Mohammed Al Sehli said a practical solution could involve installing chained poles that block vehicles from entering the area while still allowing pedestrian access.
“We can’t block people from accessing the seafront, but we can block vehicles with chained poles,” he suggested. “Only cleaners would be able to remove them.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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