Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has announced that the routes of Muscat Metro, the first-ever mass transit network across the capital city, have been finalised and plans are on to conduct a feasibility study with regard to the construction of the Bausher-Al Amerat tunnel, reported Oman News Agency.

Both these elements are part of the Greater Muscat Masterplan, which focuses on systematic urban expansion as well as allocation of spaces for greenery and landscaping, stated the report citing a top official.

The Muscat Metro routes have been finalised based on key elements such as ease of access and the availability of main stations in strategic areas in the capital, stated Al Waeli. This is in addition to expansion beyond the metro course, via express buses and other means of transport to and from the metro, he added.

The masterplan is in its final stages of preparation and will enter the implementation stages early next year, after approval from the relevant authorities, said Engineer Ibrahim Hamoud Al Waeli, Executive Director of the Urban Strategy at the ministry. The masterplan supports the idea of economic blocs, which include the innovation and knowledge bloc, represented by Knowledge Oasis Muscat, the Sultan Qaboos University and Al Rusayl.