Actively considering metro rail project in Muscat: Transport Minister

Muscat: Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of The Ministry of Transport (MoTCIT), Communications, and Information Technology on Monday said the Ministry is actively studying the possibilities of a metro rail project in Muscat.

The Minister was talking exclusively to Observer on the sidelines of the ninth press conference today to review the MoTCIT’s 2022 plan and the accomplishments of the previous year.

“There is a committee formed for the metro in Muscat, and the first report was submitted last week. The committee included representatives of all relevant authorities,” said the Minister.

“As far as the train is concerned, this year the Transport Ministry is actively pursuing the possibilities of the train project,” added the Minister.

The minister also announced a new road project to link places like Masirah and Jabel Akhdar.

The ministry plans to have 200 female taxi drivers and currently 20 of them operate services.

“The ministry has started a new initiative to improve the connectivity to tourist spots. Jabal Akhdar is one of them as the place has so much potential. Presently, there is only one road to reach Jabal Akhdar which is hard to navigate for smaller cars. So, the Ministry is actively looking into one or two alternatives where even smaller cars could travel with ease,” said the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Transport to Observer.

The Ministry is seriously studying a road connecting with Masirah.

Batinah Coastal Road Project is one of the Ministry’s top priorities this year. The Ministry is aiming to start the tender process before the second quarter of the year.

The MoTCIT is working hard to improve the connectivity to the villages across the Sultanate.

The Ministry is planning to organize the taxi and truck sector this year.

WATER TAXI

The Under Secretary of the Ministry of Transport told exclusively to Observer that the ministry is planning to introduce water taxis in Oman.

The ministry will identify possible spots to develop the water taxi service including Muscat and Musandam. Once the proposal is ready, the Ministry will float a tender, added the Undersecretary.