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Public projects worth more than BD4 million are planned to be completed by 2022 in the Capital Governorate, according to a top official.
The people-friendly projects – walkways, market, gardens and parks, seafront and port modification and stadium – are estimated to cost BD4,710,629.
Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry assistant under-secretary for shared municipal services Shawqiya Humaidan said the two-year plan envisages 14 projects of which two are in the implementation phase, while the rest are proposals.
The projects in the execution stage are Manama’s iconic Water Garden and the beautification of Al Farooq Junction, together costing BD3.37m.
The future projects include the Zinj walkway, Sanad Park, Salman Port intersection and Bahrain Financial Harbour Front in the bidding stage and the Jidhafs Market in the design phase.
These projects are estimated to cost BD1.3m.
Meanwhile, the remaining future projects that are awaiting budget allocation are the Manama waterfront, Tubli walkway, Sitra stadium, Jid Ali garden, Bahrain Bay development, beautification of Block 338 and expansion of Prince Saud Al Faisal walkway – all in the design phase.
The details of the projects were submitted in response to a request to Capital Trustees Board chairman Salah Tarradah at its biweekly meeting.
He told the GDN details were provided by the Common Municipal Services unit based on a request by the Capital Municipal Council.
“People are following up on such developments in their neighbourhood and areas and it is important to provide them with an update,” said Mr Tarradah.
The Water Garden renovation is estimated to cost BD2,634,754.
The GDN reported in August that work on the second phase development of the six-hectare project was nearing completion with the facility expected to reopen soon, according to Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf.
As part of the renovation, the garden will have new natural rocks replacing the old crumbling ones in the lakes which have been cleaned, while a bridge and centre island will be built to act as a natural reserve for birds.
The project features a botanical garden, two lakes, family spaces, children’s play areas, a wooden bridge, a sports area, and a number of green spaces.
Nearly 1,200 trees for shade and those bearing fruits will be planted while 23 shade canopies will also be installed for seating spaces.
LED lighting posts, flowering and aromatic trees and a number of games with rubber flooring in the children’s play area will also be installed.
The garden will also feature walkways with one supplied with a cooling system.
The renovation followed the 50-year-old facility shutting down in 2017 after it was deemed unsafe.
The beautification of the 12,200sqm Al Farooq Junction in Manama is estimated to cost BD740,875.
The GDN reported in October last year that the second phase of development of the junction is projected to be completed next year.
The 50,000sqm segment of the first phase of the project was completed in November last year with palms, other trees and seasonal flowers being planted.
The second phase includes reclamation, ground levelling, an automatic irrigation network, reservoirs and stations for irrigation pumps, in line with the ministry’s strategy to increase green spaces and preserve the aesthetic view of public roads.
Meanwhile, Ms Humaidan also noted that her office had received requests for 49 projects of which 18 are under request for implementation, four in progress, 19 awaiting work commencement, tender awarded to two and three each in tender invitation and re-bidding stages.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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