Oman’s Supreme Committee for Town Planning is inviting firms to submit prequalification documents for the project management contract on its national railway scheme by 31 May.

The project will be constructed in three phases. The first phase will comprise a 230-kilometre line that runs from Sohar to Muscat. The second phase will be a 560km line running from Muscat to Duqm. Oman may then choose to extend the line to Salalah, which would involve building a 580km track.

Later plans may also see the railway extend into Muscat city itself, which would involve building a metro system.

The Supreme Committee for Town Planning is also inviting consultants to submit prequalification documents by 31 May for the design contract for the railway (MEED 13:4:10).

France’s Systra and the local National Engineering Office have carried out the feasibility study for the project.

When Oman’s national railway network is complete, it will form part of the wider GCC railway network.