Bahrain officials will soon open two new public beaches in Manama and Ma'ameer as well as a corniche in Muharraq.

It is part of a nation-wide plan to utilise the country's shores for recreational purposes, said Municipalities and Agriculture Minister Mansoor bin Rajab.

The Ma'ameer beach project will be carried out to provide a sandy beach and other facilities in an area of around 45 sqkm.

"The project will focus on making the area greener and decrease the levels of pollution," said the minister.

"It will be a model in efforts to boost ecological tourism as well as offering ideal recreational facilities."

He said that work is currently being carried out to finalise all relevant procedures.

"The project will feature play areas and a one-kilometre walkway that leads to all facilities as well as many green areas," said Bin Rajab.

"It will also feature area where investors can open restaurants, games rooms and multi-purpose halls."

Other facilities include an open amphitheatre, a jetty and a monument highlighting the importance of preserving the environment.

A new beach stretching from the Marina Club to an area near the Bahrain Financial Harbour will also open soon, said the minister.

It will feature a musical fountain at the centre of the beach, walkway stretching along the entire coast, green areas, restaurants, playgrounds and video games room.

Work on the Khalifa Grand Corniche is scheduled to end soon at the shore stretching from the Waterfall Monument intersection to the Abdulrahman Al Fadhel intersection in Muharrarq.

The project will cover an area of 1sqkm, including 1km by 5km walkway and a garden covering the entire corniche. The minister announced last week that the Northern Governorate would soon have three public beaches.

The move was in line with His Majesty King Hamad's directives and Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa's instructions for the ministry's projects to cater to the needs of citizens and residents.

He said that the projects were part of a general strategy to create a number of public beaches that will be easily accessible to citizens and residents at various parts of the country.

They include the King Hamad Beach; stretching from the Bahrain Fort to the Northern Town, Budaiya Beach and Abu Subh Beach.

They will feature a variety of facilities, including swimming pools, football and volleyball fields, horse riding and stables, shacks, jetties, gardens, playgrounds, barbecue and cycling areas, walkway and a heritage village.-TradeArabia News Service