The Customs authorities in Bahrain are sparing no efforts to make the Formula One Grand Prix a huge success as the kingdom gears up for the race scheduled from Friday to Sunday, a report said.

"We are working at full capacity to ensure the smooth flow of fans who will turn up to watch the race," Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs visa and residence director Shaikh Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa was quoted as saying by the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

In a statement to Bahrain News Agency, he said that special counters staffed by highly-competent personnel had been allocated to expedite procedures.

Bahrain International Circuit officials too have opened additional counters for F1 fans to buy tickets before being allowed access to passport-monitoring checkpoints for final scrutiny.

Customs authorities have also streamlined procedures, issuing two-week multiple entry visas, which will be valid until next Sunday.

F1 fans who hail from 66 countries will be issued with visas on arrival at entry points.

Fans living in 102 states can obtain their two-week entry visas to Bahrain online.

Others can access the portal of the Visa and Residence Directorate www.evisa.gov.bh to apply for the necessary visa. A Bahraini guarantor or the endorsement of a private company operating in Bahrain would still be needed to process their visa issuance procedures.

Meanwhile, the Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry has inspected roads and sewerage networks and conducted precautionary maintenance to ensure readability and safety of the networks.

The ministry's preparations for the F1 include construction of a new parking lot No 10, which has been paved. It can accommodate 950 vehicles. The yards close to the circuit have also been settled to be used as parking spaces for guests.

As the countdown for the race begins, the ministry has prepared and maintained the main highways, beginning with the main entrances to the kingdom and ending with the Bahrain International Circuit. It has fixed safety barriers along the main roads, painted road markings and pavements, cleaned traffic signs and replaced damaged ones and cleaned and maintained traffic signals.

All work along roads and highways leading to the event, in addition to any other works belonging to other service entities, will be halted and all lanes will be open for traffic.

The ministry has urged all road users to be cautious and adhere to traffic rules for their as well as others' safety.

The ministry will provide six generators in case of emergencies. – TradeArabia News Service