Northern Sixth District Faces Infrastructure Gaps Despite New Developments

The Northern Sixth District recently hosted a field tour conducted by Alayam newspaper, accompanied by Municipal Council member Abdullah Ashour, which highlighted accumulating issues in the Ramli, Ali, and Salmabad neighborhoods. The tour revealed a mix of inadequate services, deteriorating infrastructure, and traffic congestion, juxtaposed with ongoing but unfinished development projects.

In Ramli, the opening of 18 new commercial shops constructed by Housing Bank stood out as a key milestone, ending a four-year absence of local retail services. Ashour described the development as an important step toward meeting residents’ needs, as many had long relied on shopping outside the area. However, the district continues to face daily challenges with parking shortages and abandoned "scrap" vehicles occupying vital spaces and creating social tensions. Ashour called for fines and removal measures to be enforced through the Ministry of Municipalities.

Road conditions remain a critical concern. The 4004 road connecting Ali and Salmabad was described as “tragic” due to numerous potholes, which damage vehicles and increase risks, particularly during the rainy season. Ashour noted that the Ministry of Works has promised to begin resurfacing the road soon. Meanwhile, despite recent paving of road 3435 in Complex 734, residents remain in the dark due to the absence of street lighting, forcing them to install home-mounted floodlights after the Electricity Authority declined to include the road in its budget.

Ali Promenade, a key recreational area, is slated for comprehensive development, including improved ground surfaces, shaded areas, playgrounds, and sanitary facilities. Yet the limited number of parking spaces (only 20) and existing electrical infrastructure prevent expansion, according to Ashour.

Traffic management was another focus of the tour. Ashour emphasized the need to reorganize traffic signals at the Ramli Commercial Complex intersection to ease congestion and requested the installation of cameras on Street 12, which experiences frequent accidents—sometimes up to two per week—a commitment reportedly made by the Ministry of Interior.

Local residents also shared their perspectives, adding a human dimension to the tour. Salman, a resident, spoke about his daily struggles with traffic and lack of services, while Hamad Al-Maliki, a youth coach at Ali Promenade for 17 years, highlighted shortcomings in facilities and parking that make the area inconvenient for regular use.

The tour underscored a dual reality: ongoing projects coexist with missing services, leaving residents’ concerns unresolved and awaiting comprehensive solutions.