Ithmaar Development Company (IDC) said work is in full swing on its Dilmunia Grand Canal & Marina project with the foundation and soil preparatory works already completed, thus marking a significant milestone in the development of the wellbeing island project in Bahrain.

The Grand Canal and Marina is a major element of the $1.6-billion Dilmunia Project, a mixed-use development built on a man-made island, off the coast of Muharraq with a unique health and wellness anchor comprising residences, hospitality and leisure, food and beverage (F&B) strips and shopping districts.

The Grand Canal will feature public promenades, geysers, water fountains, water walls, water cascades, boardwalks and viewing decks, said the statement from IDC.

The development of the ambitious 125-hectare man-made island is being managed by IDC, which is part of the Ithmaar Banking group. Ithmaar Bank is also the investment manager of the Dilmunia Development Fund I LP.

In December last year, NSCC International, a reputed Abu Dhabi-based contractor was awarded the foundations and soil preparatory works package for $4.5 million and the tendered works were successfully completed within the planned time-frame, said the Bahraini developer.

NSCC had deployed the largest Rapid Impact Compaction (RIC) machinery in the GCC for these works, along with “vibro-compaction” techniques. As part of the foundations and soil preparatory works, a retaining structure was built using 300 contiguous piles to retain the upcoming installation of the large water intake pipes that will feed the Grand Canal.

The scope of work included 8.8 hectares of soil improvement, soil levelling and a total of 2,897 contiguous pile construction (totaling 2 km of pile wall) in addition to soil compaction throughout the proposed length of the Dilmunia Grand Canal including the pioneering RIC technique used for the first time in Bahrain.

The completion of these foundations and soil preparatory works will enable the development managers to now proceed with the final step of the construction of the Dilmunia Grand Canal, it stated.

With a total length of 1.7 km, and a width spanning 15 to 35 m throughout the Grand Canal, it will have sea water pumped in around the mid-point of the Canal with the water flowing via gravity in two opposing directions of the Grand Canal.

The Grand Canal will run through the entire stretch of Dilmunia in a semi-circular route, making it Bahrain’s largest man-made water body and providing breathtaking vistas to surrounding developments within Dilmunia, and one of Bahrain’s longest continuous promenades to residents and visitors of the island, it added.

Commending NSCC International on its timely completion of works, CEO Mohammed Khalil Alsayed said: "IDC is pleased to have reached another milestone in the continuing progress of Dilmunia and we are happy that the works proceeded smoothly on schedule.”

He added that NSCC deserve full credit for meeting the challenging timelines.

Khalil N Khouri, the CEO of NSCC International, stated that completion of the works for the Dilmunia Grand Canal and Marina is another testament to its capabilities not only in Bahrain but across the GCC.

"We look forward to executing other projects in Bahrain," he added.

Alsayed said with properties in Dilmunia now being allowed for purchase by foreign nationals and the increasing number of inhabitants in the island, its attractiveness as a favoured destination has gained further traction.

"The next key step is to award the contract for the Grand Canal works before June 2019 as the works have already been tendered for this," he added.

Dilmunia completed the second phase of its infrastructure works in December 2017, and awarded the third and final phase of infrastructure works in early 2018, and with it ensuring the availability of all services to developers constructing on the Island and residents.

The progress of the Grand Canal and Marina works, sets the tone for IDC to unveil other attractions and projects, which will make Dilmunia the destination of choice for residents and investors in Bahrain.

Dilmunia offers a range of residential and commercial amenities, including “The Treasure” by Bin Faqeeh Development Company, “The Essence of Dilmunia” by Ahmed Al Qaed Group, and “Seavilla” by IDC.

Projects under way include “CanalView” by Naseej, “The Hanging Gardens” by Ahmed Al Qaed Group, Al Tijaria resort project (The Commercial Real Estate Development Company) and the Mall of Dilmunia, a family-centric and entertainment facility set for completion before end of 2019, it added.-TradeArabia News Service