Khasab – Musandam is accelerating development of its road network, with the RO151mn Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road expected to sharply cut travel times, improve access to remote communities and support tourism and investment across the governorate.

The 70km Dibba-Lima-Khasab route is among Musandam’s most important strategic infrastructure projects and is expected to significantly improve connectivity between its wilayats, niyabats and coastal communities.

Badr bin Ahmed Al Shuhi, Director of the Roads Department in Musandam, said travel time between Dibba and Khasab would fall from around three hours to 55-60 minutes once the road is completed.

The journey between Lima and Khasab, currently around two and a half hours, is expected to be reduced to about 20 minutes.

The road is also expected to ease the geographical isolation of remote coastal communities, particularly Lima, where access has traditionally relied heavily on sea or air transport.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Farsi, Wali of Khasab, said road development is central to Musandam’s broader development strategy, improving the movement of people and goods while opening access to economic and tourism assets.

He described the Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road as a major transformation in transport connectivity and a catalyst for growth in tourism and other productive sectors.

Al Shuhi said Musandam’s mountainous terrain and coastal geography present major engineering challenges, requiring rock excavation, slope protection, management of watercourses and carefully designed bridges and drainage systems.

Road development is also extending beyond the new route to the upgrading and maintenance of existing roads to improve safety, traffic flow and network reliability.

Several additional projects are planned, including the Khasab-Tibat Coastal Road Improvement Project, Khasab-Al Khalidiya Road Upgrade Project and paving of Khor Najd Road.

Al Shuhi said project priorities are determined through the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology’s Road Projects Prioritisation Matrix, which assesses strategic, economic, engineering, social, environmental and safety considerations.

Improved connectivity is expected to support new tourism developments, including resorts, camps and mountain and marine activities, while strengthening links to ports, Khasab Airport and the planned new Musandam Airport.

The wider road programme is aimed at improving access to services, supporting population growth and urban expansion and strengthening Musandam’s competitiveness as an investment and tourism destination.