Muscat – The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) is inviting bids for consultancy services for documents of design and build of an alternative route from South Batinah to Jabal Akhdar.

The new road aims to facilitate easier access to Jabal Akhdar without four-wheel drive vehicles, ultimately enhancing tourist traffic to the scenic green mountains.

MTCIT informed that the deadline for submission of bids is October 15.

Additionally, it announced that plans are underway to lay a 32km road to Jabal Shams to improve tourism in the popular hill station.

According to the Office of Governor of Dhakhliyah, preliminary feasibility study for the project has been completed in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. ‘The study has identified two route options. Further analysis is underway to determine whether it will be implemented as an investment or development project.’

Meanwhile, MTCIT opened the Wadi al Sarmi Road in the wilayat of Khabourah, North Batinah, to vehicular traffic on Monday. Earlier a dirt road, it required repairs necessitated by damage following adverse weather conditions.

Younis al Adawi, Project Engineer in the ministry, informed that the project included constructing a road using supporting walls and concretisation of approximately 2km, besides repairing damaged parts of the road.