Bab fountain to be unveiled this month

By Naila Barakat: ONE of the landmarks of Manama, the Bab Al Bahrain roundabout, that is currently getting a facelift will be unveiled at the end of the month. A BD70,000 water fountain with an outer pool and a lawn will be seen at the roundabout, giving the area a completely new identity, Manama Municipality general director Abdulkarim Hassan told the Bahrain Tribune yesterday.“The idea behind the renovation of the roundabout, or plaza, is to invent a new environment matching the monument of the Bab Al Bahrain gate and achieving tourist needs for a focal point in the capital,” he said. “The prime idea is to create a central fountain made of a jet of water at three metres based within a floral pot of six metres in diametre cascading to a wider pool totalling 20 metres in diametre.”Hassan said the outer pool is constructed of four semi-circles with 12 fountains, three in each. With this, there will be a total of 13 fountains and four flower boxes of 2.5 metres in diametre at the four corners on a lawn. “The total cost of the project is BD70,000 including the electro-mechanical contract and precast jobs. Construction of the project is expected to be completed by the end of the month,” he added. “Manama Municipality anticipates adding the project as a new feature to the entrance of the old souq and the heart of the business sector in Manama.”The project has been designed by Hassan and is being supported by Manama Municipal Council, taking into consideration the renovation of the main roundabout and many new fountains in the capital. He said the existing eight palm trees planted at the roundabout earlier are being replanted at the periphery of the roundabout because these trees have become stronger over the years. Hassan said the project is being handled by Al Mahroos Contracting Services which also maintains the electro-mechanical jobs over the next five years.