Muscat Municipality is currently putting in tremendous efforts to complete a number of vital service projects in the various wilayats of the governorate.

This includes renovation, construction and maintenance of a number of internal roads, landscaping projects, public parks and gardens a part of an integrated plan by the municipality, aimed at adding a touch of beauty and improvement of public services.

Many of the projects will be completed during the 38th National Day celebrations. The projects also coincide with Muscat hosting the AGCC summit next month.

Work is going on in Phase I of the 55 km Muscat Highway Project. The road comprises 12 crossings along the roadside of which the first six extend between Al Qurum roundabout through Madinat Al Ilam, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Al Qurum 29 and Al Qurum 16 to Al Khuwair. The part of the project from Al Qurum to Bausher is expected to be opened coinciding with the National Day celebrations.

The municipality has also completed Barr Al Jissah/Yetti road project which crosses the rugged mountainous area. The project starts from the Diving Club area and ends at Yetti to serve a number of tourism projects.

Work is also going on at the 6 km dual carriageway project, which starts from the roundabout at Al Ghubra Health Centre and ends at the roundabout near the Aviation Club to join the road leading to Al Mawaleh, North Al Hail and Seeb.

This is in addition to other projects including design and construction of the 7 km dual carriageway in the wilayat of Bausher, construction works at the crossings of Bait Al Falaj and Al Burji roundabouts and other internal road projects.

Construction work will shortly commence on several projects in Al Ansab, Al Khuwair 39, Al Kisfah, Falaj A’Sham, Al Awabi, Ghala and Al Azaiba. In the wilayat of Seeb, the municipality has completed the asphalting of 23 km, including the areas of South Al Mabaela, Hilat Al Nasr and Al Shardi.

In the wilayat of Al Amerat, the municipality has completed asphalting of internal roads in Alm Mahaj, Al Faj, Al Qahma, Al Khurat as work is going on in other areas of the wilayat including Tonis, Haim, Al Atkiyah, Al Mahaj and Al Amerat Heights. In Greater Muttrah, the municipality will shortly carry out asphalting works of 8 km of internal roads.

Muscat Municipality has entrusted a number of specialised companies with tenders for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road networks affected with the unusual weather conditions prevailed in the Sultanate.

This included redesign of the Al Adiyat-bridge in Seeb, internal roads in south Al Mabaela, coastal road in the wilayat of Muttrah and re-asphalting of Al Qurum-Darsait road besides other projects.

The municipality is also proceeding with beautification projects in Sidab from the road of Aqbat Sidab to Harami crossing. The said projects also comprised beautification works of the public buildings parallel to the roadside.

Muscat Municipality commenced construction of Bandar Al Rawdah Park last July. The said seafront park is situated near Al Bustan Palace Hotel.

Other works included landscaping and beautification projects at Al Bustan area, Sidab, Al Qurum Natural Park, as well as planting of palm trees at the area from Al Ghubra roundabout to Al Azaiba roundabout along the roadside leading to Seeb.

Furthermore, the municipality began rehabilitation and renovation of Al Bustan road from Al Wadi Al Kabir to the entrance of Al Bustan Palace Hotel. The works also comprised construction of fountains at the roadside and landscaping and beautification works along the road leading to Al Bustal and Sidab areas. This is in addition to the beautification and landscaping works along the road leading to Seeb Sports Stadium in Al Mawaleh and Hayy Al Mina in the wilayat of Muttrah.

The municipality, through the management of Al Mawaleh Central Souq, has completed a number of development and beautification projects. The municipality has completed construction of 26 retail outlets at the said souq.

Bait Al Baranda in the wilayat of Muttrah has received a large number of visitors of various sectors during the year. This included 2,687 visitors from the Arab and AGCC states, 3,416 visitors from other countries, 1,521 visitors from the private sector and tourism companies and 6,403 visitors from schools and colleges.

Al Bait Baranda hosted a number of workshops and exhibitions. This included the exhibition of Omani female artists, an oil painting art workshop, a map drawing workshop, a children art workshop, the Qaranqasho celebration and the launch of several books among other functions.

On the other hand, the Building Permit Department at Muscat Municipality has so far completed 8,209 document clearings and 3,562 building permits for the various usages.

The Muscat Festival 2009

The 2009 edition of the Muscat Festival, which has grown into an annual mega-event that locals and tourists look forward to, will be held from January 19 to February 12. Past festivals have shown how greatly people enjoy themselves at the festival venues. According to the organisers, the Muscat Municipality, the main festival venue this time will be Naseem Gardens in place of Azaiba Festival Grounds. Other venues, like Qurum Natural Park and Seeb Beach, will continue to host the festival activities.

Naseem Garden, embracing a gross area of 750,000 m2, will be an ideal venue for the main events. The idea behind the change is that people can engage in festival activities and can also enjoy a garden sheathed in all green. This year’s extravaganza will encompass a vast selection of events and activities of entertainment and recreational value to citizens and residents of Oman.

More than two million visitors flocked to the festival venues early this year and enjoyed the events organised from January 21 to February 15. The festival attracted visitors from within and outside the Sultanate and from all age segments because of its range of events and activities.

The festival stands out from other similar festivals in the region as it maintains its special identity and has created for itself a specific track since its launch. It is the introduction of the Omani heritage and culture supported by new ideas that guarantees its modernity. The organisers have not yet divulged any details of the festival activities.