Excavating mountains or removing rocks without license will attract a fine of RO 2,500. Article 2 of the Resolution No 212/2017 of Muscat Municipality stipulates that it is not permissible to cut a mountain or to carry out digging works except after obtaining permission.
“An application for a licence to cut a mountain or to carry out road digging shall be made to the municipality, in accordance with the approved form, accompanied by a set of documents,” said a spokesperson from the civic body.
The plot’s title deed, or an approval from the Ministry of Housing if it doesn’t have a title deed along with the survey report, maps illustrating a survey of the plot must be submitted with the application
An administrative fine of RO 500 if other provisions are violated, and the violator shall be granted a period of 10 days to make good the reasons of the violation failing of the license shall be considered revoked. The works shall be carried out during the day and it is prohibited to cut off mountains or carry out excavation works at night after obtaining a prior approval from the Municipality. Violation of this rule too shall be an offense.
Contractors must remove waste or debris within a month. In the event the contractor breaches the rule, the competent authority of the municipality can seek clarification from the concerned parties.
The regulations further say that the civic authority can, without a prior notice, take legal actions against the contractor and initiate necessary procedures to remove the residues and return the plot to what it was at the expense of the contractor. The municipality will charge a fine of RO 300 for each consignment of less than 24 tonnes of waste or debris.
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