New road reduces distance between Muscat and Sur

Muscat: A yet-to-be officially opened 87-kilometre dual carriageway linking Muscat with Sur in the eastern part of the country has proved a great boon for road users, who despite cautions have been travelling on the road for almost a year now.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the road, on which travellers will have to pay a toll, will be officially opened soon.

But many are already enjoying the benefits.

"We have been using this road for a year now and it reduces the distance between Sur and Muscat by almost 60 per cent," said Dr Kamal Bhatt, a senior surgeon at Sur Hospital.

Bhatt's family lives in Muscat because his daughters are receiving their higher education there, something that is not available in Sur. The surgeon is obliged to travel frequently between the two towns to commute to work.

"Initially, the road had many diversions. But now one side of the carriageway is open," he said.

The doctor added that the contractors had put up disclaimers to the effect that the road was not yet officially open, but this had not deterred the public from using the road.

Whereas the journey between Sur and Muscat used to take three-and-a-half hours, it now takes only two hours and 10 minutes travelling time between Sur and Muscat.

Despite the warning signs at either end of the carriageway, insurers say motorists would still be covered in the event of an accident.

"The signs serve as a disclaimer, but we would definitely honour our policy if one of our clients had an accident on that road," said Deepak Kamath, Country Manager for AXA Insurance in Oman.

Only the toll booths remain to be set up on the 87-kilometre road, which reduces the distance between Muscat and Sur by 168 kilometres.