Oman: Railway Project Phase 2 Declared Public Utility Project

Image courtesy of Oman Rail

Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said has issued a royal Decree declaring Phase 2 of the Oman Railway Project a Public Utility Project. Phase 2 of the line is a 240km long section connecting Fahud to Al An.

The Decree, formed of three articles, states that the railway project, linking Hafait in the Governorate of Al Buraimi with Fahoud in the Governorate of A’Dhahirah, will be considered a public utility. This Decree allows relevant departments to expropriate properties, lands and installations to accommodate the construction of the railway.

The Decree concerns the second of nine phases in the construction of the 2,135km railway line. Phase 1, which is currently considering proposals from international rail infrastructure providers, is hoped to open in 2019.

Oman Rail, founded in 2014 specifically to oversee this project, have signed a memorandum with the Port of Duqm to enable freight rail access to the port as part of Phase 3 of the project.

The railway is hoped to transform the country. Oman Rail CEO Abdulrahman Al-Hatmi said:

“The network is designed as a logistics centre by connecting Oman’s ports with the rest of the GCC as well as our own mining and commercial hubs. We are going to change the life of almost anyone who has anything to do with Oman. We will make everything you buy and sell in the supermarket cheaper. In terms of natural resources, we will even make building a house cheaper. This is why we are reorganising and revolutionising the logistical supply chain in Oman.”