The Supreme Committee for Town Planning is overseeing the implementation of the 241 kilometre-long road, part of an ambitious initiative to improve road communications along the Batinah coast as well as open up large coastal swathes to economic, tourism and commercial investment. The all-weather, four-lane dual carriageway runs for the most part, parallel to the Gulf of Oman coast from Naseem Garden to Khatmat Malaha on the Sultanate's border with the UAE.

First out to tender was Phase 1, which will be implemented in two sections. The first section covers a 59.5 kilometre length from Naseem roundabout to Sayyid Said bin Sultan Naval Base at Wudam al Sahel in the Wilayat of Musannah. As part of its RO 125.286 million contract, Makyol will also construct 85 kilometres of service roads and 15 kilometres of link roads. Underlining the size of the project, Makyol will also build one interchange and seven roundabouts at various points along the main carriageway, in addition to nine roundabouts on the service roads.

Section 2, which has been awarded to Nagarjuna Construction Company, covers a 65.7 kilometre length from Majees roundabout in Sohar to Khatmat Malaha in Wilayat Shinas. A number of service roads, link roads, interchanges, roundabouts and wadi bridges are also included in the company's RO 149 million contract. The remainder roughly 115-kilometre stretch of the Batinah coastal road will be tendered out in the Phase 2 development of the project.

Ahead of the construction of the carriageway, the government has already commenced the process of rehabilitating those displaced in modern residential zones complete with civil and social amenities. Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Development CompanyAl Rajhi Development Company has been awarded a contract to build 2,200 housing units at a cost of RO 148 million in the first phase of the rehabilitation programme. Construction of the homes will be undertaken in phases over a three-year timeframe to allow for the smooth and seamless relocation of the affected communities to their new residences.

Importantly, the coastal road project will also lead to the transformation of the Batinah waterfront and its hinterland. In addition to the residential zones, a series of traditional souqs will be developed in all the wilayats through which the coastal road crosses. These souqs, featuring sections for trade in fish, vegetables, animal auctions and other related activities, will be tourist and architectural landmarks in their own right.

When completed, the road project is also expected to contribute enormously to economic growth and infrastructure development along the length of the populous Batinah coast. It will provide new impetus to the region's agricultural and fisheries potential. Furthermore, the project will open up pristine swathes of beachfront to tourism and other economic opportunities, as well as bring development to small coastal towns and communities. Opportunities for investment in restaurants, lodgings, groceries, and other commercial establishments will mushroom in the wake of the road project, thereby supporting local employment and income generation.

By Conrad Prabhu

© Oman Daily Observer 2009

 

Community Comments (0) - Comment on this article

The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect Zawya. Read our Comment Policy.

 

 

 

close x

Loading ...

 

close x

Report Abuse

Loading ...

 

 

close x

Loading ...