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Thirty-one places of worship, 63 educational institutions and 14 health facilities are among projects planned for the new Salman Town.
The major urban development, opened by His Majesty King Hamad in May, is Bahrain’s biggest housing scheme.
Plans for the man-made island include a maritime centre, cultural hall, sports stadium, a central park, two wildlife gardens, 100 small parks, a 2.5 square kilometre coast, 31 square kilometres of public beach and walkways covering a total of 120 square kilometres.
Details for the site, formerly known as the Northern Town, were revealed yesterday by government officials during a meeting with the Northern Municipal Council.
It is expected to grow to a total population of 90,000 and massive investment is being made in infrastructure, amenities and facilities that will cater to residents.
The 31 religious centres include nine regular sized mosques, two Islamic centres and two small mosques.
The 63 educational facilities include a university, eight secondary schools, five intermediate schools, 13 primary schools and 36 nurseries and kindergartens.
Health facilities will include a general hospital, five health centres and eight clinics, while there will also be a police station, a fire station and a Coast Guard station.
Community-related developments include a petrol station, a bus station, a multi-purpose hall, an elderly care centre, a post office and three general service centres.
A huge water tank, a water treatment station, two power plants, one sewage plant, a sewage station and 19 telecom masts are also planned.
The private sector will also have a chance to tap into the new market, with spaces for commercial activities.
Housing Ministry homes projects planning and design director Adel Rajab said around 6,000 social housing applications were received annually – with most of them now being allocated to Salman Town.
Meanwhile, housing properties head Faheem Abdulla said a new services centre would monitor the market to ensure there was no misuse of social housing units.
“The centre will oversee contractual obligations for those given homes in the town and ensure there are no violations,” he said.
Ministry housing projects building and maintenance acting director Huda Sultan added that more homes would be ready for people to move in before the end of the year.
“We are working with the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to get the roads ready this year as people start moving in,” she said.
Meanwhile, Northern Municipality technical services director Lamya Al Fadhala warned that any breach of social housing agreements would entail severe action.
“Whether it is expanding homes without permission, occupying public facilities, littering or dumping waste, there will be municipal and legal action taken,” she said.
However, area councillor Fatema Al Qatari said more co-ordination was needed – claiming the town was without services despite some people moving into new properties in May.
“People are facing difficulties getting inside the town with checkpoints throughout,” she said.
“They are living in small homes that can’t accommodate them and the town has no services yet.
“They need to get out and go back in again – and face trouble when they are coming back.”
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