Oman plans rail link feasibility study

Muscat: The Omani government will study the feasibility of establishing a national rail network connecting all major urban and industrial hubs - present and future, a local daily reported yesterday.

An official of the sup-reme committee for town planning, which undertakes all long-term urban planning activities on behalf of the government, said the study would lead to the development of a mass transport system covering both passenger and freight movement.

"This feasibility study marks the start of an important undertaking that aims to introduce a new mode of transportation in the country. It is a long-range study that will examine the feasibility of linking all the major existing urban and industrial centres, as well as areas targeted for future development," Salim Mohammad Al Afani, director-general of physical planning, was quoted as saying by Oman Daily Observer.

Oman's plans for a rail network have made significant headway since National Economy Minister Ahmad Bin Abdul Nabi Macki unveiled a proposal, in April this year, for an initial rail link along the populous Batinah region in the north of the country. The line will run from Barka to Shinas, close to the border with the UAE, crossing en route the industrial port city of Sohar.

The supreme committee, which is chaired by Macki, is preparing to appoint a consultant to advise the government on the design requirements of the Batinah railway link.