The government of Saudi Arabia is planning to start a ‘one-window’ system in the causeway. (“SR168m deal to run Causeway” Aug. 18)
It is increasingly becoming very difficult to cross the Saudi-Bahrain King Fahd Causeway, which is normally taking 3-4 hours to cross it.
This is causing much inconvenience to commuters, mainly the employees who travel daily from either side, as the queue on the Saudi side is always lengthy. A well-managed country like Saudi Arabia needs to see that its people must not waste time while visiting the neighboring country.
Since many people travel to the Bahrain airport to catch flights, it becomes all the more important to see that the traffic is smooth and free from hassles. As per available records, some 90,000 people pass through the causeway during each day of the weekends.
The single-window system will involve 3-4 procedures, and hence I doubt its practicability in helping reduce the rush.
It’s time-consuming too and I think the Saudi immigration authority can take some better actions to bring relief to the commuters. The following suggestions may in this regard be considered:
1. Immigration authorities make sure all the counters are working properly. During peak times too it has been observed only few counters are open with only one employee handling two lines at a time. Even on Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE borders, which have less passengers compared to Bahrain have more open counters than Bahrain.
2. Eighty percent travelers are Saudi citizens, so there must be a separate lane for the Saudis; smart cards must be given to them to enable them pass the causeway in two counters within seconds.
3. Toll of SR20 is charged for both sides. A tiny part of it can be spent on immigration staff as incentive/bonus per vehicle to encourage the workers to be more efficient.
4. Vehicle-scanners can be installed so the rush in customs would be reduced.
5. Can its administration be outsourced to private agencies, if the immigration department finds it difficult to handle?
I hope the authorities will understand the problem and will take steps accordingly to succor the commuters.

Johns Chery Thomas
Alkhobar