Hamad Town Central Market project stalled

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Work to develop Hamad Town Central Market has stalled, and developers who fail to meet their obligations will face penalties, according to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister, His Excellency Wael Al Mubarak.

He told MPs that contracts included measures to deal with delays, adding that the Riffa Central Market had been expanded with the number of stalls rising from 30 to 50.

He added that the Sitra Market project had reached the tendering stage, while work was ongoing with the Housing Ministry to build shopping hubs in East Hidd and East Sitra.

As for Al Maqasees flea market, Al Mubarak said officials were working with the municipal council to find a new site. “It’s important that the market isn’t near homes and meets the required conditions,” he said.

He added that money had been set aside for maintenance and upgrades at the Manama Central Market, with plans for a larger replacement site.

The Cabinet had also ordered that the market be given more attention, and a full proposal would be sent to Parliament at some stage.

He said joint campaigns with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and the Interior Ministry were targeting violations in markets.

MP Mohammed Al Rifaei asked whether developers were being held to account, noting that some had walked away from deals.

He said many people in Khalifa Town went to Askar for their shopping.

“Markets should be planned when houses are designed, not after they’ve been handed out,” he said.

He also noted that Al Maqasees Market had been shut since the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing sellers onto the streets in Isa Town.