Bahrain may build a vast 'green town' on private land worth BD160 million ($424 million) which will boast of residences, schools, a health centre and a park as part of its 'Economic Vision 2030.'

The Manama municipal councillors have urged the government to purchase the land in a greenbelt area in Bilad Al Qadeem for the purpose.

According to them, the area can be turned into a new town with a 'green' theme with government houses, schools, a library, a theatre, a health centre and a public park built in the area.

Municipal regulations prohibit construction of any kind in the area, but several owners of plots in the area have managed to get building licences, claim councillors.

The councillors were deadlocked on a decision to remove the ban in December 2008, with four of the eight members against 'de-belting' the area and the others for lifting the ban so that the area could be developed rather than leaving it neglected.

Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Al Basri is of the opinion that the government could achieve its Economic Vision 2030 ambitions by buying the greenbelt area.

'It is almost the size of Salahya and imagine what a great town the government can make of it as part of its Economic Vision 2030,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service