Colour-coded sidewalks in commercial districts have been approved by Bahrain’s largest municipal council.
The Northern Municipal Council backed a proposal to paint pavements in specific colours indicating different government service providers.
For example, in the Diplomatic Area, sidewalks next to the Public Prosecution or the Electricity and Water Authority buildings could have special colours to help people identify the services.
The proposal has been spearheaded by the council’s technical committee chairman Abdullah Al Qubaisi who said at some places people find it difficult to read the signs, but the colours can guide them to their destination.
“We see this system used in the BDF Hospital and at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) where different colours are used to identify different departments,” he said during a council meeting.
“We want to implement the same for sidewalks leading to various services.”
Mr Al Qubaisi added the proposal will also beautify the different commercial districts in the kingdom by adding colour to the areas.
“White can always be used as the primary colour along with other colours designated to the specific government service providers.
“Youth volunteer groups and societies can play their part by painting these sidewalks to create an attractive landscape that distinguishes Bahrain.”
However fellow councillor Hussain Al A’ali who represents constituency six (A’ali) said the proposal should not be a priority, with more pressing matters at hand.
“In some areas we don’t even have properly constructed roads, so how can you paint a sidewalk on a road that doesn’t exist,” said Mr Al A’ali.
“This may be successful in Saudi Arabia which is a big country with people coming from Riyadh looking for government services in Jeddah.
“Bahrain is small and citizens know all the locations including government facilities that hoist the Bahraini flag.”
Mr Al A’ali also said spreading awareness among the people about the colour-coded scheme so they can decode what each colour represents was going to prove to be a challenge.
However, the council unanimously approved the proposal which has been referred to Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf for a review.
The council also unanimously approved a proposal to allocate land in Hamad Town block 1212 for the construction of a children’s park, and an alternative land for the Hamad Town roundabout 22 mosque.
Officials also backed a proposal allocating property in Al Louzi Block 1020 for a mosque to be constructed under the Sunni Waqf (Endowment) Directorate and an approval request to set up commercial floors in Al Jasra Block 1002.
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