Muscat: Road projects in the Sultanate, especially the strategic ones, were discussed with Said bin Hamoud Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in the Majlis Al Shura on, Monday.

The discussion was held during the 5th Regular Session for the Third Annual Convening (2021-2022) of the Ninth Term (2019-2023), chaired by Khalid bin Hilal Al Mawali, Chairman of Majlis Al Shura in the presence of members of Majlis Al Shura and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary General of Majlis Al Shura. The session was allocated for discussion requests in accordance with Article 68 of the Law of the Council of Oman, promulgated by Royal Decree No. 7/2021.

The session has seen detailed discussions on the reasons for delay in completion of some road projects against the scheduled completion. Members of Majlis Al Shura discussed with the Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology the actual costs compared to the estimates of the key strategic projects and a number of variation orders and the actual completion against scheduled completion of a number of strategic projects.

The members also enquired about the possibility of updating the Roads Manual (the standard specifications for construction of roads and bridges) of the Sultanate of Oman following expiry of 12 years since it was issued.

The members also demanded reconsideration of the design of roads and bridges mainly in light of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen and sought repair of affected roads mainly in North Al Batinah Governorate among other issues.

On the other hand, Majlis Al Shura approved, during the session, the mechanism followed in payment of compensations to citizens affected by Tropical Cyclone Shaheen.