Four new towns are to be built in Bahrain with housing for a total of 250,000 people.

The towns to be built in East Sitra, North Bahrain, West Hamad Town and East Muharraq are all part of a BD2 billion ($5.3 billion) housing campaign announced earlier this year.

"There will be homes, schools, parks, hospitals, social centres and all the necessary facilities which form a modern town," said Housing and Agriculture Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

He said the scheme came under the auspices of the new housing and construction committee, headed by Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

"In selecting these areas we have also taken into consideration the geographical aspect and the housing needs of the nearby population," he added.

Studies are to be conducted to determine the requirements and to come up with an execution plan for the projects.

"We will be inviting specialist consultants shortly and we are expecting to appoint one within a month after that," said Shaikh Khalid.

"We are also expecting that the study will start by the end of the year. Once this study, is completed a work plan and schedule will be set," he added.

One key aim behind the schemes is to cut the waiting list for government homes to about three years.