A proposal to relocate factories and industrial companies in Riffa to make way for a new housing project and improve road safety has been scrapped.

It will no longer take place because no alternative land is available, according to an official letter issued by Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro.

"These factories are not located in an industrial district that belongs to the ministry and relocating them is not possible as there is currently no allocated industrial land," he said in the document sent to the Central Municipal Council.

"There is a shortage of industrial land at the time and there are already several proposals for projects on the waiting list."

But area councillor Ahmed Al Ansari criticised the decision.

"Industrial establishments should be moved to alternative areas as Block 941 is a residential area and a major revamp should take place," he told the Gulf Daily News.

"Residents have repeatedly complained about pollution, heavy traffic and noise caused by company buses and trucks passing by.

"The proposal to relocate these establishments should not be ignored because the problem still exists and residents still need answers.

"Locals need the situation of the mixed area (residential and industrial) to change to solve this problem. There has to be co-operation from all parties."

This includes the Housing Ministry, which is already in the process of building more than 1,200 houses and flats in block 941 that are due to be completed early next year.-TradeArabia News Service