Royal Decree announces new rail project in Oman

Muscat: A new railway project has been announced by Royal Decree, to connect Haima to Thumrait. The newly released Royal Decree, 24/2017, details the implementation of the fourth part of the first package of a railway track.
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The track would connect the state of Haima, in Al Wusta Governorate, to Thumrait, in Dhofar Governorate.
A memorandum attached to the decree detailed the public benefit for implementing the package.
"The implementation of the railway project in the Sultanate is one of the strategic projects that will contribute to the requirements to sustainable development in all economic and social levels, by linking the central areas of development in the country. The railway project is also integrated with the system linking the Sultanate’s ports with railways of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries," the Decree said.
"The implementation of the project will also provide a new transport pattern, as the railway is capable of transporting large quantities of cargo and accommodating a large number of passengers over long distances.
"Oman Rail has completed its initial design work, and has prepared tender documents for the implementation of the fourth part of the first package of the project, totalling 654,981 metres," it added.
The project involves the implementation of the main railway (Hema - Thumrait) with a total length of 398,924 metres. The plan also involves a sub-railway (line for minerals/metals) with a total length of 256,075 metres.
Nine bridges will be built for the train, with a total length of 3,375 metres, and 34 road bridges will be constructed with a total length of 22,848 metres.
Two road crossings will be implemented, as well as 3 stations for passengers. Eleven stations will be constructed for goods to be transported, and 10 stations will be constructed for railway maintenance.
Since the implementation of this project requires the expropriation of the property affected by it, compensation to landowners will be in accordance with the provisions of the expropriation law for the public benefit issued by Royal Decree No. 64/78.