Muscat: Among the flagship initiatives is the Wadi Bani Khalid Aqaba Road Project, valued at more than RO 13 million and implemented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology. The 9 km road, linking Manakh to Muzayri’, has reached 25% completion and is expected to open by the end of 2026, promising smoother connectivity and improved economic and tourism activity.

Other ongoing projects include the development of Maqal Tourist Area’s water ponds (RO 2.65 million), a 4,000 sqm visitors’ building (RO 1.28 million), and Khalidiya Park (RO 780,000), alongside entertainment venues such as Hawar Tourist Café and a children’s playground, with varying levels of completion.

In addition to tourism-focused initiatives, extensive internal and link road projects are being executed, such as the Maqal-Rahbat Road (RO 2.28 million), Al Raki-Isma’iyah Road (RO 2.68 million), and upgrades to Al Oud–Tiwi Niyabat road. The municipality has also undertaken lighting works covering 49 km of roads, installing 806 poles at a cost of over OMR 600,000.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Junaibi, Wali of Wadi Bani Khalid, emphasized the projects’ role in enriching tourism, bolstering economic opportunities, and improving quality of life. He also highlighted the significance of the Quraysha groundwater recharge dam project, with a capacity of 45,000 sqm, which will boost water resources for agriculture and green spaces once completed in 2026.

The investments are part of broader governorate-wide initiatives under the “Inma’i” and “Governorates Development” programmes, which include 60 projects worth more than RO 41.8 million.