RIYADH: The Riyadh Metro project is 54 percent complete and on schedule, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, said Thursday following the second meeting of the commission at its headquarters in the capital.
The metro network will constitute the backbone of the public transport system in Riyadh. It will comprise six lines at a total length of 176km, plus 85 stations.
It will connect King Khalid International Airport, King Abdullah Financial District, main universities, downtown and the public transport center.
The meeting reviewed the results of a population satisfaction survey on the quality of life in Riyadh to monitor residents’ concerns on a wide range of services and urban and development issues, said Ibrahim Al-Sultan, chairman of the Center for Projects and Planning in Riyadh.
It was conducted to reveal and understand the attitudes and future needs of the population, he added.
The study revealed that 76 percent of respondents consider life in Riyadh “better than five years ago,” and are very satisfied with their lives; 88 percent are confident in their future and expect the best in the next five years; and 98 percent feel safe in public places and on the roads.
The survey showed that population satisfaction has increased on issues such as improving public transport, parks and recreational facilities.
The meeting discussed the outcomes of the comprehensive plan to achieve Riyadh Smart City, which aims to expand the use of technical solutions to systems in various aspects of the city.
It reviewed progress in implementing the Traffic Signal Management and Control Project in Riyadh, which includes implementation of the latest intelligent transport systems and programming of traffic signals to increase road network efficiency and improve traffic flow.
Contracts were given to implement a project to reduce groundwater levels in the neighborhoods of Laban, Tuwaiq and Darul Beidha, as well as in Mansouriya district.
Riyadh Metro 54% complete, on schedule
Riyadh Metro 54% complete, on schedule
Where We Are Going Today: Ana Starter Sourdough Factory in Dammam
Since returning to live in the Kingdom after years abroad with the best bakeries at my fingertips, I have been on a mission to find suitable sourdough locally. I sampled many mediocre ones, but one would rise above the rest: Ana Starter Sourdough Factory.
I first met founder Aisha Al-Omair at the Juthoor Farmer’s Market and tried her bread then. I liked it immediately.
“Ana Starter Sourdough Factory started as a passion for creating and fermenting the healthiest bread and introducing it to the Saudi market,” she told me at the time.
It began as a personal mission then expanded — like the dough — to serve the community.
“For a long time, I’ve suffered feeding my kids proper bread. The breads that were available at the supermarkets or at local bakeries had instant yeast, that never really took time to ferment, and therefore, when you consume the average bread, you notice some stiffening, you notice indigestion, you notice bloating and heartburn.”
Indeed, I did not feel any bloating or heartburn after devouring a slice or a few so I recently went on a quest to find more.
I ventured to Dammam to find her factory shop. It is a tiny slither of a place — I almost missed it while driving past factories in the Industrial City.
The shop comes with a decadent whiff of delicious bread.
Upon entering, you will see fridges stocked with bread and goodies like jams and butters (from other brands) that complement the bread well.
The sourdough offerings include jalapeno cheddar, zataar, plain and about a dozen other flavors.
The hassawi sourdough, made with local dates from neighboring Al-Ahsa, quickly became my favorite. It has little bits of dates tucked inside like tiny treasures.
Each slice is separated with a sheet, making it easy to freeze and pull out what you need without slices sticking together.
Fluffy with a rustic crust, it is great for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or slathering with salted butter.
My freezer is now packed with loaves.
At around SR45 ($12) per loaf, the price is slightly steep for the local market, but the superior quality is worth the extra dough.
Each day, they post on Instagram Stories showing what is available for pickup — and the quantity of each item.
Ordering is easy: Send a DM to reserve a loaf, swing by the shop, or opt for delivery.
• For more details, check their Instagram @anaastarter.
