Funds not enough for Water Garden renovation in Bahrain
Manama : The Capital Secretariat Council is in a dilemma over the renovation of Water Garden, one of the main public parks in Salmaniya area which was shut for renovations, as the funds allocated for the purpose is not sufficient enough.
“The budget allocated for the water garden is BD3 million - BD2.7 million for upgrading and renovating while BD300,000 for demolishing the boundary wall and reconstructing it. But the Council has received only BD300,00 which is not sufficient for the entire facelift of the garden. Just demolishing and reconstructing the wall will not serve any purpose. The concern that is now being raised is that if the park is not being fully upgraded it will defeat the entire purpose itself,” Mazen Al Umran, acting Chairman of the Capital Secretariat Council told DT News. He said the Capital consists of 38 other parks as well and 300,000 is a lot of money so that the money can instead be used to fix other parks, hinting at diverting the funds for sprucing up other gardens.
The Water Garden has been remaining closed since March this year, leaving the local residents completely in the lurch. The public park used to serve as a prominent community space for a lot of residents and children in the area. With the closure of the park, local people have no space for recreation, especially for women and children.
“We understand the plight of the residents, who are asking for the park to be re-opened if there is no renovation happening. The Capital Secretariat Council will look into this matter and inspect the park and try opening the park until the renovation begins,” Mazen Al Umran said.
“Further, tendering is at its final stages of approval. Even though Water Garden comes under the Capital Secretariat Council, it also serves as a national park just like Adhari park. Thus a combined decision by different ministries is required for any approval,” Al Umran added.
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