DOHA: Several members of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) have taken exception to a decision of the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning rejecting a proposal by the civil body to allow owners of residential units in Rayyan area to further expand such facilities.
The CMC wanted house owners to be allowed to build more floors at their premises to meet the growing demands of the locality. The Ministry in a reply sent to the CMC rejected the idea saying it can lead to an increase in the population of the area and put more pressure on its facilities and services, Al Sharq reported yesterday quoting CMC chairman Saud bin Abdullah Al Hanzab.
Such a move will put additional burden on the infrastructure, roads and the water and sewage network in the area, said the Ministry.
The decision has left some CMC members wondering why only Rayyan area has been excluded, while other areas are expanding vertically and horizontally.
The civic council has maintained that the amended law has given it the power to take decisions. The Ministries can object to its decisions, if the issue is not under the CMC’s mandate or if it contradicts the law and the government policies. Once the CMC issues a decision, the Minister concerned is expected to refer it to the Cabinet for its consideration.
The Ministry also disclosed that there is a plan to unify the standards for residential buildings in each area in terms of the height, design and the attached facilities.
Jassim bin Abdullah Al Malki, head of the services and public facilities committee at CMC said, this is part of the comprehensive building plan that has been anticipated over the past seven years but has not yet been implemented.
Expressing surprise over the Ministry decision, he said, Kahramaa and the sewage department at the Ministry had already agreed with the CMC proposal.
“The Ministry’s decision will hinder the development of this locality, while other areas in the country are growing vertically and horizontally,” said Al Malki.
Mohammed bin Hammoud Al Shafi, another CMC member said, Rayyan is the biggest locality in the city with 12 representatives in the CMC.
“It needs more facilities and better infrastructure to catch up with other areas,” he said.
CMC member Mohammed bin Saleh Al Khayarin said, implementation of the CMC proposal will help improve the living standards of the residents of Al Rayyan. “This decision is not fair. Residents of Doha are becoming richer because of the urban expansion in the city. People in Rayyan also deserve this privilege,” he said.
The Peninsula
