A new waterfront development near Galali has been approved by Bahrain’s Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry.

The project was proposed by the Muharraq Municipal Council and has now been referred to the Land Survey and Registration Bureau, which will decide how much space is required, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

It will be situated near Bahrain International Airport between the Raya Highway and Dry Dock Highway and is expected to feature a walkway, a gym, restaurants and coffee shops.

"Residents of Galali already go to this place to walk while enjoying the beautiful view of the water," said council vice-chairman Mohammed Herz.

"It is one of the good places because it won't need major maintenance work.

"The location itself near Bahrain International Airport will allow us to turn it into a tourism spot if it is executed properly.

"The plan is to have facilities that will appeal to tourists and provide them with a place to walk and work out, while enjoying the rest of the services."

There are also plans to incorporate a health facility where people suffering from chronic illnesses can undergo medical check-ups, as well as a garden and a pond containing different types of fish.

"I think it is going to be really unique and unlike any other bay development because we will introduce new facilities such as the one we have planned for medical check-ups for those suffering from chronic diseases," added Mr Herz.

"A garden will be built in the centre of the land and will have some unique types of fish.

"I have never seen a garden that has a special place for fish and I expect that this will become the first-of-its-kind in the country.

"We will be testing the water and choosing the best fish for it."

The project's cost will be estimated after measuring the land and once the design phase is completed.

However, it has not been decided whether it will be included in the council's budget or tendered out to the private sector.

"It will most probably be included in the council's budget, but might be tendered if the cost is too high for us," said Mr Herz. "We will have to reclaim some land for coffee shops and restaurants, which costs money." - TradeArabia News Service