Manama: A new alert has gone out about dangerous buildings in Bahrain. From now on demolishing old, rundown homes in built-up areas of Bahrain will only be allowed with special permission from the government, a top minister announced.

Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Essam Khalaf told the GDN he was particularly concerned about the risk of damage to surrounding buildings when structures were knocked down.

“We want to protect private property from being damaged when bulldozing work is carried out,” he said.

“Of particular concern is the razing of rundown homes or buildings in old neighbourhoods – this brings with it the most complaints.

“However, there are new technologies and methods that can be used to ensure no collateral damage occurs,” Mr Khalaf said.

Anyone wishing to carry out demolition work must obtain a licence first from the Capital Trustees Authority or one of Bahrain’s three other municipalities, said the minister.

New rules for razing rundown homes…

Demolishing old, rundown homes in built-up areas of Bahrain will only be allowed with special permission from the government in future, a top minister has announced.

Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Essam Khalaf told the GDN that he was particularly concerned about the risk of damage to surrounding buildings when structures were knocked down.

“We want to protect private property from being damaged when bulldozing work is carried out,” he said.

“Of particular concern is the razing of run-down homes or buildings in old neighbourhoods – this brings with it the most complaints.

“However, there are new technologies and methods that can be used to ensure no collateral damage occurs.”

Anyone wishing to carry out demolition work must obtain a licence first from the Capital Trustees Authority or one of Bahrain’s three other municipalities, said the minister.

“Accordingly, those who fail to clear the site of building or damage other property adjacent to them will be punished depending on the nature of their violation,” he said.    

The ministry deals mainly with the technical aspects of construction, but always listens “to people’s complaints, grievances and suggestions”, which are either received through municipal representatives or directly and are always factored in when deciding future policy, Mr 
Khalaf said.

“Improving standards or the way we address situations or problems comes in line with people’s feedback,” he said.

“This will be reflected in the introduction of new infrastructure and the upgrading of existing road and sewage networks, construction of new buildings and future public parks or walkways.”

He said more thought would be put into providing green areas and protecting the environment within upcoming projects, adding that safety instructions from the General Directorate of Civil Defence must always be followed whenever any work is carried out. 

mohammed@gdn.com.bh