- Muscat – A major highlight of the session was the amendment of eligibility criteria for government residential land grants:
- Families will now be entitled to receive one residential plot or housing option only once, registered under the breadwinner’s name at age 23.
- Single applicants without families can apply based on the following:
- .Men at age 23.
- Divorced women, abandoned widows, or unmarried women at age 30.
- The session provided a comprehensive overview of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to streamline processes, ensure equitable distribution of housing opportunities, and foster sustainable urban growth across the Sultanate.
Key points are as follows: - 10 percent of residential units and plots in the Sorouh projects to be earmarked for marriage fund beneficiaries, with further price reductions to enhance affordability for young couples.
- Approval of 23 urban policies for the Western Al Hajar region and 21 policies for the Dhofar Mountains, based on extensive field studies and cooperation with 17 government agencies.
- 100% completion of valley path maps, with all risk areas identified, in collaboration with the Council of Ministers.
- 61,632 names included in the National Street Naming Project, achieving 95 percent completion rate.
- Launch of the “Geo Oman” system, designed to digitally integrate planning data with geographic maps for enhanced urban management.
- Rollout of the “Rafid” National Programme to build capacity in urban planning, through workshops and professional development sessions.
- Shift to a “spatial and economic sorting” mechanism, moving away from random land distribution so as to prioritise land allocation to areas with high population density, clear infrastructure needs, and sufficient capacity for development.
- This strategic realignment is intended to boost land use efficiency, promote balanced urban growth, and ensure resources are directed to communities with the greatest need.
- The Minister also reported significant progress in the ownership verification program, where 94,000 requests have been processed in just four years—a task that previously spanned more than a decade. To further expedite this process, regional general managers have been empowered with full authority, and special support teams have been deployed across governorates.
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