Plans are underway to build fuel stations, mosques, hotels

Muscat: Plans are underway to build fuel stations, mosques, hotels and services centers on two of the nation’s main roads.
The bidding process for six integrated fuel stations along the Batinah Expressway and Adam-Thumrait road will begin by the start of December, according to the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Housing.
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His Excellency, Eng Saif Al Shaqsi, also said that companies owned by Omanis will be given top priority.
Al Shaqsi, who is Chairman of the Public Auction Committee for integrated fuel sites, said, “The bidding for six integrated fuel stations will start at the beginning of December, in the first stage. Three of the [fuel stations] will be on the Batinah Expressway in Wilayat Suwaiq, Saham and Liwa. Three others will be on the Adam-Thumrait road, including two in the wilayat of Haima and one in Maqshan.”
Al Shaqsi added that preparations for technical conditions, specifications, and drawings have been completed. “Such stations will provide basic services for road users, including a fuel station, mosques, shopping, a car service centre, a hotel and a restaurant."
The bidding will be restricted to Omanis and institutions wholly owned by Omanis. The applicants should not be the owner or beneficiary of another piece of land allocated to a fuel filling station when submitting the application, either on their own behalf or on behalf of a company or institution.
"The idea is to allow citizens who have never had a fuel filling station, pointing out that the public joint stock companies are exempt from this, provided that the Omani share of its capital is not less than 70 per cent,” said Al Shaqsi.
The general specifications for these types of integrated stations have been developed to ensure the quality of their implementation and adherence to the implementation schedule.
“The applicant must submit an initial outline of the project, including preliminary engineering designs and total built-up areas. The period of implementation shall not exceed two years from the signing of the benefit contract,” Al Shaqsi pointed out.
Al Shaqsi noted that these integrated stations will contribute to creating a typical environment, in terms of services and facilities for road users, and will meet their basic needs.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications opened the Al Batinah Expressway for traffic on May 7. It is the largest road project in the Sultanate.
The road will start from the end of the Izz-Adam dual carriage road and end in Wilayat Haima, with a total length of 320 km. "The rest of the parts of the road until wilayat Thumrait will be completed when funds are available," added the ministry. The road will link the governorates of A'Dhalikiyha, Wusta, Sharqiyah, and Dhofar.