Authorities have been urged to come up with a master plan to tackle traffic congestion in Bahrain.
Five MPs, led by Strategic Thinking Bloc spokesman Khalid Bu Onk, yesterday called for effective and realistic strategies to streamline vehicular movement on roads, claiming that ‘it took people ages to drive in and out of their homes’.
He dismissed as ‘untrue’ suggestions by a minister that the rapid economic recovery witnessed by the kingdom was the reason for a surge in traffic bottlenecks.
Mr Bu Onk claimed that a lack of infrastructure compounded with an unrealistic number of vehicles on roads were leading to the gridlocks.
“Just a few days ago, a new shopping mall opened in Muharraq, and the traffic jam that ensued put all roads around the Muharraq island on a pause mode,” he said.
The MP also hit out at authorities for issuing ‘unlimited number’ of licences to expatriates seeking to operate rent-a-car and taxi businesses, which he said has only worsened the problem.
“Bahraini taxi drivers are out of business and even the public transport has just turned into a WiFi hotspot for people wanting free Internet,” Mr Bu Onk said.
“It takes us at least an hour to reach home after we leave the National Assembly Complex in Gudaibiya following the weekly session, and what we are speaking about is a short distance!”
MP Mohammed Al Marafi blamed the Works Ministry for the alleged failure of roads’ network.
“It takes 90 minutes to cover a short distance in Bahrain while you can reach Dammam by that time, even after completing all customs formalities,” he said.
“This is irritating and mind boggling. It takes four years to construct a 300-metre road and several inner roads continue to remain unpaved in new areas.”
Works Minister Ibrahim Al Hawaj told MPs that new projects including underpasses, flyovers and lane expansions were on the way to ease congestion on Bahrain’s road networks.
He added that the focus would also be on revamping highways, starting with the main Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Highway which stretches from Umm Al Hassam to Riffa. Initial artist impressions for the development have been drawn up, he explained.
“Our strategic roadwork projects are in line with the kingdom’s urban expansion plans,” said Mr Al Hawaj.
“Millions of dinars are being spent to implement solutions that will reduce travel time and make it more convenient for motorists, who are currently facing agonising traffic congestion,” he added.
“We are planning strategic road arteries in co-ordination with government bodies while also ensuring mainstream routes cope with the traffic flow across all governorates.
“Our focus is now on the massive revamp of Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Highway as we enhance, upgrade and develop it to match the expected urban development and population surge.”
Works Ministry roads planning and designs director Maha Hamada had earlier said, in writing, that the network of roads in the country was being monitored and assessed to study whether expansions or upgrades were necessary.
“There is non-stop work on roads as we match residential, investment and day-to-day needs,” she said. “We are also focusing on alternative solutions with other concerned ministries, such as the Bahrain Metro project, other forms of public transport, flexible work hours and managing schools’ timings and locations,” she added.
Mr Al Hawaj also revealed that infrastructure projects worth millions of dinars were set to be launched in the Southern Governorate.
Roads, sewage, streetlights, water and electricity networks for the projects were being finalised with the ministries concerned, he added.
The projects include the first phase of development in Buhair Valley, the roads of the new Sports City in Sakhir, expansion work on Shaikh Salman Highway and Road 77.
“We have completed work on the first phase of roads south of Alba Industrial Area, the car parks at Khalifa Town Health Centre, new car parks at Bahrain University’s campus in Sakhir and construction of Road 5050 and internal routes,” the minister said.
“We have also paved temporary roads in Jaw, Askar and Jari Al Shaikh. Other ongoing projects include developing roads in the Educational Area in Isa Town (phase two), roads between Hejayat and Mahzoora Avenues (phase two), and a complete makeover of Hejayat Avenue,” he added.
“Also on the list are internal roads in Zallaq, East Riffa, West Riffa and Louzi Area, besides maintenance of roads in Hunainiya and Gulf of Bahrain Highway. Roads in Riffa, Jaw, Al Dur and Khalifa Town will also be revamped.”
Interior Minister and Traffic Council chairman General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa told the Shura Council earlier this month that the number of registered vehicles in Bahrain until the end of October this year reached 750,341, which is around half the population on the island.
Bahrain’s population in August this year was 1,577,059, according to the Cabinet.
The urgent proposal calling for government action was unanimously approved by the Parliament and referred to the Cabinet for review.
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