Manama: General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Traffic Council, chaired the council's meeting today to discuss significant advancements in road safety and traffic management.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting was attended by prominent members, including Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy; Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications; Ibrahim bin Hassan Al Hawaj, Minister of Works; and Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah emphasized the continuous efforts required to enhance road safety, guided by the Royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and supported by the government's leadership under His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Key agenda items included the development of a national strategy to reduce traffic congestion as part of the government's priority programs. The council approved the appointment of a consultancy firm to conduct a detailed study, supported by a working group from relevant authorities. This initiative aims to coordinate efforts, assess current congestion levels, define roles of involved entities, and adopt best practices for a comprehensive congestion-reduction strategy. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah stressed the importance of legislative measures in addressing congestion challenges.
The council also assessed the progress of smart camera installations, which play a crucial role in improving road safety. Updates were provided on the development and expansion of Road 76 in Sakhir, along with discussions on addressing the accumulation of heavy trucks in residential areas. A presentation from the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications highlighted the proposed link between the King Hamad Causeway and Bahrain Northern Road, as well as the GCC railway route connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah conveyed his appreciation to council members for their ongoing efforts and stressed the importance of field operations and continuous readiness to ensure smooth traffic flow.