Bahrain has drawn up plans for several new projects worth more than $22.6 million for the Southern Governorate.

They include a BD7 million ($18.4 million) central market in East Riffa, a BD1.5 million shopping complex in Askar, a BD20,000 traditional handicrafts centre in Hunainiya Valley and a BD80,000 cattle yard complex in Hafeera, said a report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Plans are also underway for new public parks and gardens, walkways, coasts, play areas and family places.

The projects will be carried out by the Southern Municipality, which were announced yesterday during a gala event at the municipality headquarters in West Riffa.

"We had several ideas and proposals whether from the Southern Municipal Council or directly from the community on what's needed, which has helped us draw up our future vision," said municipality director-general Asem Abdullatif.

"We will work on major projects in phases according to funds and most of the budget will be directed towards their completion, but pure municipal services like parks and gardens, walkways, coasts, play and family resting areas will also be given priority considering their low requirements.

"The new Riffa Central Market will be built at the end of next year at a cost of BD7 million and would take up to two years to get completed as we arrange to purchase private land on Al Moaskar Highway.

"The current market will be remodelled early next year at a cost of BD200,000 to ensure the market stays intact until merchants are moved to the new one."

Work on a BD1.5 million shopping complex, which will also house government service outlets, will start in Askar later this year, and is expected to be completed in two years.

"A new BD20,000 traditional market will be completed in September and will be open to the public during a national ceremony. The project has been included on people's demands," said Abdullatif.

"Cattle yards will be also moved to Hafeera at a cost of BD80,000 for land work, which we expect to complete by the end of this year.

"Work at cost of around BD1 million on public parks and gardens in Safra, Wadi Al Sail, Askar, Zallaq, West Riffa and Sakhir, and walkways in East Riffa and Jaw is already being carried out.

"A staircase at a cost of BD15,000 is being built down the Hunainiya Valley for sports and tourism purposes on the request of the public."

He said up to BD100,000 are being spent to beautify the governorate's main roads.

"We are also spending around BD1 million on constructing Al Dor, Askar and Zallaq coasts and jetties besides thousands of dinars to build play and family resting areas across the governorate mainly in West Riffa and Safra," he explained.

Abdullatif revealed work on a new BD350,000 pedestrian bridge on the Riffa Avenue, which will be paid for by Batelco, will begin at the end of the year. – TradeArabia News Service