The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) in its annual press conference confirmed that the railway projects planned in the Sultanate of Oman are making good progress, which include the ambitious and eagerly-awaited Muscat Metro project.
Among these, the studies conducted by a consultancy for a metro in the capital will be completed this year.
The metro line, which will be built with an investment of RO1 billion, will have a length of 55km with 42 passenger stations including connectivity to the upcoming Sultan Haitham City.
The Suhar-Abu Dhabi international railway line is expected to enter the implementation stage this year.
Eng Said bin Hamoud bin Said al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) said that the decision will be made this year regarding the Muscat Metro following the completion of the studies.
Last year, MoTCIT opened the financial bid for the first consultancy study (phase 1 pre-feasibility outline) for the Muscat Metro.
The upgradation of the public transport system will be key as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning embarks on the Greater Muscat Development Plan.
The project aims to accommodate the increasing future population, attract investment, develop transportation, raise the quality of services, strengthen infrastructure, and protect the environment.
The Greater Muscat project will focus on making the capital easy to navigate with the provision of an integrated transport network suitable for sports and health activities.
A metro system will help in the green mobility of citizens and also that of visitors by providing fast connections between key locations of the capital, reducing the congestion on the roads, and minimizing the need for expanding roads in the future.
He said tenders will be awarded for the rail link between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning compensated 3,367 people affected by the railway project in 2023.
A study regarding the railway link between Oman and Saudi Arabia will be also completed this year.
The ministry is also currently working on the draft Railway Law.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
