Oman to carry out study for rail network

Muscat: Oman will build a railway network, according to Ahmad Bin Abdul Nabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of National Affairs and Energy Resources Council yesterday.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the opening of the Oman Economic Forum, Macki said: "We have appointed consultants to carry out a feasibility study for a railway network in Batinah region."

He explained that initially the network will be from Sohar to Birka in the north of Muscat.

"It will be 200-km railway and in future would be extended from Sohar to Duqum," he said. He also added that Birka would be the hub of container traffic after railway project is completed.

He also revealed that initially the network will be used for goods and cargo. "We will also consider passenger service too."

In a mountainous country like Oman, the Batinah region is comparatively plain and more suitable for the railway network.

"It is too early to give cost or time frame," he said. He also talked about the private sector investment and employment opportunities generated in the country.