$1,298 fine for construction in Muscat residential areas on Fridays

An amendment to the Decision No 23/92 was issued by H E Eng Mohsin bin Mohammed al Shaikh, chairman of Muscat Municipality on March 18. The rule will come into effect 30 days after the issue date.

A fine to the tune of RO500 will be levied on contractors for breach of the municipality rule. As per the existing rules of Muscat Municipality, no construction work can be carried out between sunset and sunrise on any day.

An official with Muscat Municipality said, “This RO500 fine is an addition to the existing rule. We have introduced this fine because there were a lot of complaints about construction work being carried out on Fridays and that too in residential areas. Friday is one day when the whole family is resting at their house. The sound of construction work happening in the vicinity of their dwelling area disturbs the whole family. The peace of being at home on a Friday gets destroyed. Keeping in mind the huge number of complaints we have decided to implement this fine.”

He said that if residents find some construction work happening in their surrounding on Fridays, they can report to Muscat Municipality and action will be taken immediately against the erring contractor.

A lot of contractors have been carrying out work on Fridays in order to finish their projects faster. But in the process they do not realise that it causes nuisance to residents dwelling in the area, he said.

Saroj Panthari, a resident of Muttrah area said, “If this is implemented then it is good. Construction work on Friday is a nuisance because of the sounds of construction machines. Spare us one day. You cannot open the window also as the dust from the work enters the house. You are all of a sudden woken up by sounds of the machines.”

Another resident of Seeb said the fine is a big relief. “I keep driving the whole week for work-related issues in the city. On a Friday too, I had to drive away from my house at six in the morning with my whole family, looking for some place where there will be no sound of machine and my children can rest. I did this for many Fridays some months back and I did not know who to complain. This new fine is a relief,” Zakariya Khambasi said.