Manama souq set for major makeover next year

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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Ambitious plans to revitalise Manama’s historic souq are moving forward with significant support from Bahrain’s legislative and executive branches.

Members of Parliament and the Capital Municipal Council have pledged their full backing for the project, emphasising its importance to the preservation of Bahrain’s cultural heritage and economic development.

MP Ahmed Al Saloum announced that the Strategic Thinking Bloc will advocate for dedicated budget allocations in the upcoming 2025-2026 national budget to support the project.

Integral parts

Meanwhile, MP Mohammed Hussain Janahi stressed the need for comprehensive improvements to public services and a solution to traffic congestion as integral parts of the plan.

From his side, Engineer Saleh Tarada, Chairman of the Capital Municipal Council, confirmed that multiple government entities are collaborating on the project, including the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), and the Assistant Agency for Municipal Services within the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture.

He anticipates the project’s commencement in 2025, following the approval of the new budget.

Plan’s scope

Eng. Mohammed Al Abbas, a member of the Capital Municipal Council, detailed the plan’s scope.

It will encompass the preservation of traditional architecture, the documentation of the souq’s history through museums and exhibitions, and the development of key areas such as Bab Al Bahrain, the Al Musaqafa area, the Al Tawawish Square, and the Wednesday Market.

The project also aims to improve public facilities, providing essential amenities like restrooms and parking.

Tarada highlighted the significance of royal directives emphasising the preservation of Bahrain’s historical and cultural identity in its buildings and cities.