Kuwait to review rules on dismantling awnings near power transformers
. . . seeks balance between electrical safety and homeowners' needs
- Municipal Council approves new food supply center sites in Al-Riqqa and Jaber Al-Ali; reviews housing, oil, airport and food supply projects
The Municipal Council has agreed to refer a proposal to review regulations governing the removal of awnings installed near power transformers and distribution boards to its Legal and Financial Committee, following a request by seven members who described these structures as an important necessity for residents of private housing areas.
During its meeting on Monday, chaired by Abdullah Al-Mahri, the council discussed the issue after member Fahd Al-Abduljader and other members called for a review of the existing requirements to ensure a balance between public safety and needs of residents.
Al-Abduljader explained that the municipality had determined the permitted areas and distances based on regulations governing courtyard planting. However, consultations with the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy revealed differences between the ministry’s technical requirements for electricity meters and control units and the procedures currently applied by the municipality.
The members stressed that awnings are a practical necessity for homeowners and called for the issue to be examined in coordination with the electricity ministry. They proposed establishing clear and unified regulations that protect public safety while taking residents’ interests into consideration. The council approved referring the matter to the committee for further study.
In other decisions, the council referred a request from the Jahra Governor regarding proposed temporary use of the land surrounding the Jahra Central Exchange to the municipality’s executive body for examination. It also approved Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s request to confirm the boundaries of its existing oil complex in Shuwaikh and gave final approval to reorganizing several plots in Block 1 of Al-Siddiq.
The council also approved a request to establish a diwan on a plot in Block 9 of Al-Faiha. It agreed to amend an earlier decision concerning the Al-Masayel Beach Development Project, Beach 2, undertaken by the Touristic Enterprises Company, as requested by the Ministry of Finance. Another amendment approved at the meeting concerned commercial spaces in the new passenger terminal T2 at Kuwait International Airport, following a request from the Ministry of Public Works.
The council further approved the Ministry of Justice’s request to change the designated use of land in the Shuwaikh Administrative Area, originally allocated for a multi-storey parking facility serving the Public Prosecution building and neighboring properties, to accommodate an administrative building alongside a multi-storey car park.
In another decision, the council approved two Ministry of Commerce and Industry requests to allocate sites for food supply centers in Al-Riqqa and Jaber Al-Ali. The facilities will serve as distribution and sales points for subsidized and discounted food supplies, with provision for short-term storage.
