Reclamation work at a site for a massive housing project in Bahrain has been completed in a package costing BD24.4 million ($64.34 million), and tenders for the construction of housing units will be issued shortly, said a senior government official.

The company in charge of reclamation is scheduled to complete protection of the coastal area in January, said Housing Minister Bassem Al Hamer.

Meanwhile, bids will be invited to build 1,500 homes as part of the first phase.

Five hundred housing plots will also be demarcated, funded through the GCC Marshall Plan, in addition to a Kuwaiti financial contribution.

The Housing Ministry is now co-ordinating with other ministries and service authorities to issue tenders.

The city will comprise 4,500 to 5,000 housing units capable of accommodating more than 30,000 people on 227 hectares.