Page 367 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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PUBLIC WORKS
Most of the public works of major importance in Bahrain were carried out by the Bahrain
Government in the last twenty years, before and after the war ; during most of the war years, owing
to lack of imported materials and transport difficulties, little was accomplished. Until 1356 (1937-38)
there was no separate Public Works Department and building and road work were carried out by the
Land Department, after 1356 public works were first under the supervision of K. S. Mohammed
Jafar, ex-Indian P.W.D. and more lately in-charge of a British public works officer, Mr. Campbell
Tunniclifle.

The first large works to be accomplished were the Manama Palace and the Government offices
—the Adviserate. These were built by an Indian contractor and completed in 1344 (1925-26), It
became apparent fairly soon that neither the Palace nor the office building were satisfactorily con­
structed and after this experiment in getting work done by contract all buildings were put up by the
Government directly. The cost of the Palace was Rs. 1,30,000 and that of the offices about Rs. 60,000.
Both buildings were subsequently altered and enlarged.

Roads.—What was probably the most important and valuable constructional achievement in
Bahrain was the linking of the islands of Manama and Muharraq by a causeway, carrying a road,
across the x$ miles of sea which separated the two chief towns of the State. The causeway, which
was built of coral stone, was begun in 1348 (1929-30) and was completed, up to the edges of the deep
water channel, in 1355 (1936-37). Its cost was a little less than Rs. 3,00,000, to-day it could not be
built for five times this amount, during some of the years while the causeway was under construction
the State’s finances were at a very low ebb and for this reason the work was spread over seven years.
When the road was first contemplated it was viewed from many quarters with a lack of enthusiasm
and was regarded as a waste of money. Without this road between Manama and Muharraq, and the
swing bridge which spanned the channel, the Muharraq aerodrome which was of such strategic value
during the war would have been of small use. At the time of writing according to the latest census
of traffic on the causeway 1,150 motor vehicles cross the bridge every day.
Other roads which were built were what is known as the Manama Sea-Road along the water­
front of the town from the State Hospital to the Adviserate and a similar road in Muharraq from the
head of the causeway to the northern edge of the town. The first section of the Manama Sea-Road
was built in about 1343 (1924-25) the second section, from the Customs to the Adviserate was com­
pleted in 1346-47 (1927-28). The first half of the Muharraq road was completed in 1348 (1929-30)
and it was extended in 1357 (1938-39). The motor road which forms the sea front of Manama town,
which crosses the sea between the two islands and which edges the waterfront of Muharraq extends
altogether for nearly four miles.
Public Buildings.—Apart from the Muharraq school, which was built about 30 years ago,
and two girls schools in Manama which are in old Arab houses, all the town and country schools were
built by the Government. The Manama West School was built during 1347-48 (1928-30) at a cost
of Rs. 35,000. The Technical School was begun in 1347 (1928-29) it was enlarged during later years and
its workshop was completed in 1360 (1941-42). The Muharraq Girls’ Schools were built in 1357 (1938-
39). In 1365 the Manama East primary school was enlarged by the addition of a line of first floor
rooms and the Secondary School was transferred to the new building.

The Fort has been almost entirely rebuilt during recent years, work was begun on it in 1353
(1934-35) large barrack rooms were built in place of the low dark quarters which previously existed,
the walls and towers were rebuilt, the bungalow was extensively enlarged and a number of solid stone
houses were erected for married policemen and a swimming tank was constructed inside the walls.
Police posts at Hedd and Budeya were constructed in 1353 (i934"35)»

In 1356 (1937-38) the present Customs House was built and the sea on each side of it was
reclaimed, at the cost of Rs. 66,000. In the same year the Law Courts were begun, they were completed
in the following year and cost with sea reclamation about Rs. 83,000.