Muharraq Takes Action on Heavy Trucks in Residential Areas with Joint Committee

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A joint committee is set to be formed, including various ministries and government agencies, to address the issue of heavy trucks parking in residential neighbourhoods. The committee's first meeting will take place in the coming days. The Muharraq Municipal Council has decided this in its latest meeting, after thorough deliberation.

The council discussed strategies to tackle the problem, which is causing inconvenience to residents and reducing the availability of parking spaces. A representative from the General Directorate of Traffic was present for the discussion.
 
Speaking for the Traffic Directorate, Captain Hussain Al-Ansari conceded that the problem is intensifying despite ongoing collaborations with governmental bodies such as the Ministries of Works and Transportation. He stressed the necessity for designated truck yards prior to the issuance of commercial licences, underlining the critical role of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in this regard.

Al-Ansari explained that the Traffic Directorate frequently receives complaints about this issue across Bahrain's governorates. While they issue penalties to offending heavy trucks, he stressed that the long-term solution lies in providing dedicated truck parking areas. He mentioned that the Waqf Directorate has worked with the Capital Governorate to allocate land for Gulf truck parking, which has alleviated part of the problem.
 
Council member Dalal Isa Almuqahwi observed that, notwithstanding the presence of signs prohibiting truck parking in residential areas of her district, compliance among truck owners is lacking. She explained that trucks, through informal arrangements, take turns occupying the limited parking spaces, thereby exacerbating the shortage for residents.
 
Responding to this, Vice President of Muharraq Municipal Council, Eng. Saleh Jasim Buhaza, proposed the formation of a committee comprising relevant ministries and agencies to investigate and coordinate solutions to this problem. This proposal was met with approval from the council members, signalling a collaborative approach to addressing the needs of the community.