MANAMA: Bahrain may soon start construction of its first "green town". New government plans unveiled yesterday were drawn up by the Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry in co-ordination with concerned ministries and government bodies, following proposals by the Northern and Manama municipal councils in October 2010.

Land earmarked for the project will be used to serve both urbanisation and greenery, said ministry General Directorate of Urban Planning regional planning department chief Fares Ameen.

Blueprints for the "green town" include government houses, schools, a library, a theatre, a health centre, natural sanctuaries, a botanical garden and public parks in addition to luxurious villas and eco-friendly commercial and office buildings.

Bus stations, new road works and pedestrian walkways that extend up to 400 metres will also be built along with a railway station for a $25 billion project, which will link Bahrain and other GCC countries through a 2,117km network.

The new town will cover 356 hectares and will take parts of Bilad Al Qadeem, Khamis, Adhari, Salhiya, Tashan and Burhama.