MUSCAT: The projects include works implemented by Al Dakhiliyah Governorate valued at more than RO 22.2 million, alongside major projects undertaken by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology at an estimated cost of RO81.6 million.

The developments cover the construction of internal roads, dualisation of main routes, rehabilitation of mountain roads, improvement of wilayat entrances, road maintenance and measures to manage wadi water drainage.

Sheikh Hilal bin Saeed Al Hajri, Governor of Al Dakhiliyah, pointed out that developing the road network was a fundamental pillar of development in the governorate, improving access to services, strengthening connections between wilayats and residential communities, and creating favourable conditions for economic and investment growth.

He said road projects were being implemented according to priorities that take into account population needs and the development requirements of each wilayat.

The governorate also places emphasis on the direct impact of these projects on people’s lives, particularly in facilitating movement, improving access to services and supporting economic and tourism activities.

Al Hajri added that coordination between the governorate’s internal road projects and major infrastructure developments undertaken by the ministry was strengthening the overall transport network and ensuring more effective use of infrastructure investments.

He stressed that infrastructure projects represent a long-term investment in local development, with their success measured by the services and opportunities they provide and their sustainable impact, in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Al Dakhiliyah Governorate continues to implement internal road projects across its wilayats, focusing on residential neighbourhoods, new urban developments, public facilities and areas requiring road improvements.

In Nizwa, internal road projects covering a total of 44 kilometres are under way at an estimated cost of RO 3.3 million. Completion rates across the project packages reached 87 percent and 79 percent by the end of September.

Work is also progressing on an additional exit and new parking spaces at Nizwa Central Market, with the project 33 percent complete. The development aims to ease traffic congestion and improve vehicle access to one of the wilayat’s main commercial and tourist destinations.

In Bahla, internal road projects covering 18 kilometres are being implemented at a cost exceeding RO 1 million. Completion rates on individual projects reached 99 percent and 50 percent by the end of September.

The governorate is also developing the entrances to Jabrin and Basya at a cost exceeding RO 744,000, with work 45 percent complete. The project includes paving parking areas at Jabrin Fort and lighting the road leading to the Salut Archaeological Centre. Work is also continuing on measures to protect the falaj in Basya and secure the necessary permits.

In Manah, internal road construction covering 10 kilometres has reached approximately 85 percent completion, improving connectivity between residential neighbourhoods, new housing plans and service facilities.

In Al Hamra, the second package of the internal roads project, covering 19 kilometres at a cost exceeding RO 3.5 million, has reached 91 percent completion.

The governorate has also received the consultancy outputs for the design and supervision of the proposed dual carriageway on Wadi Ghul Road and the commercial area. The project is currently under review.

In Izki, internal roads covering 20 kilometres in Shafa, Al Aqil and Al Quraysa are being implemented at a cost exceeding RO1.2 million. Completion has reached approximately 70 percent, improving connections between villages and residential communities.

In Samail, the first phase of the internal roads project, covering 13 kilometres at a cost exceeding RO 2.2 million, has reached 40 percent completion. Meanwhile, the design and implementation of internal roads in the Tawi Al Nisf development plan, covering two kilometres, is 99 percent complete.

In Bidbid, internal road projects and consultancy services exceed RO 2.2 million. The main 15-kilometre internal roads project has reached 65 percent completion following the completion of protection works at Al Farfara, while mountain cutting works continue at Hamim.

The internal roads project at Al Sayh Al Ahmar has reached 95 percent completion and has been partially handed over. Consultancy services for the development of the wilayat’s entrance have also reached 95 percent completion, with the project including the design of a service road and beautification works. It is currently at the initial handover stage.

In Al Jabal Al Akhdar, maintenance work on Marwah Road is under way at a cost of approximately RO 50,000, with completion reaching 50 percent. Consultancy work for the design of a dual carriageway and development of the wilayat entrance, covering five kilometres, has reached 90 percent and is currently at the handover stage.

As part of efforts to improve the existing road network and complete priority projects, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate recently signed contracts worth more than RO 5.7 million.

The contracts include road maintenance projects in several wilayats and the construction of new routes to serve residential communities and urban developments.

A contract worth approximately RO 922,000 covers the maintenance of damaged roads in Nizwa, Bahla, Al Hamra and Adam, while another project, valued at more than RO1 million, covers Bidbid, Samail and Izki.

The contracts also include the design and construction of the Al Washahi-Al Tasawir Road in Izki at a cost of RO2.2 million, and the second phase of the internal roads project in Samail, valued at more than RO1.6 million.

At the level of major infrastructure developments, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology is continuing work on several strategic road projects across the governorate.

The dualisation of the Izki-Nizwa Road, connecting Qarut South, Birkat Al Mouz and Farq, is one of the largest projects, with an estimated cost of RO46.8 million. Work has reached 36 percent completion.

The project involves constructing more than 30 kilometres of dual carriageway, alongside 3.167 kilometres of service roads and the dualisation of the Sinaw link, covering 1.163 kilometres. It is scheduled for completion in March 2028.

The road is expected to improve traffic movement between Izki and Nizwa and strengthen connections between residential communities, commercial centres and service facilities along the route.

Meanwhile, the Jabal Shams Road project in Al Hamra, covering 32 kilometres at a cost exceeding RO 20.1 million, has reached 9.3 percent completion. It is scheduled for completion in January 2028.

The project comprises two sections. The first extends 26 kilometres towards the Jabal Al Sarat area, serving Jabal Al Sarat School and providing access to the highest peak of Jebel Shams. The second section covers six kilometres from Dar Al Aqour towards Dar Al Sawda, serving several villages.

The road will feature two lanes, each 3.5 metres wide, along with 28 entrances and exits and a number of culverts to improve access to villages and tourist destinations in the mountainous area.

In Jabal Akhdar, the ministry is completing the remaining works on the Saih Qatna Road improvement project, which extends 9.1 kilometres and costs more than RO 4.5 million. The project has reached 75 percent completion and includes roadworks, lighting, earthworks and protection measures.

The Sant-Wadi Al A’la Road project, covering 13.17 kilometres at a cost exceeding RO4.1 million, is in the preparation phase.

The works include laying the asphalt surface and completing road safety and mountain protection measures along an existing section of approximately seven kilometres. The remaining six-kilometre section will involve mountain cutting, box culverts, retaining walls and truck access lanes. The project is expected to be completed in March 2028.

Preparations are also under way for the design and construction of box culverts at three locations in Wadi Bani Habib along the Green Mountain Road, at a cost exceeding RO 284,000. The project aims to improve wadi water drainage and enhance the safety of mountain roads.

Between Samail and Izki, the project to construct Aqaba Afri Road and Al Saqari Village Road has reached 89 percent completion. The combined project covers 6.2 kilometres and costs more than RO 4.5 million.

The 3.2-kilometre Al Saqari Village Road has been completed, while work continues on the remaining section of Aqaba Afri Road. The overall project is expected to be completed in February 2027.

In another development, the 3.75-kilometre road leading to the Oman Palm Development Company factory has been opened at a cost exceeding RO 1.07 million, providing improved access to the industrial facility and facilitating transport operations.

The road and infrastructure developments across Al Dakhiliyah form part of wider efforts to strengthen connectivity between wilayats and residential communities, improve access to essential services and tourism destinations, enhance road safety and support sustainable economic and urban growth across the governorate.