The Saraya Bandar Jissah resort in Oman has appointed the UK-based Atkins to manage the infrastructure works for the development.

The package for the resort’s infrastructure works has been tendered and the winning bidder will be announced this month.

In its supervisory role, Atkins will oversee the quality of construction of the underground utilities including the networks for domestic water, irrigation, firefighting, sewage water, storm water, low currents, telecommunications and low-voltage and medium-voltage electricity on site. This work ensures the necessary networks are in place ahead of the superstructure works.

“We are enormously pleased to be appointed as the infrastructure supervisors for such an important project as Saraya Bandar Jissah,” says Marco Malpiedi, managing director of Atkins Oman. “We look forward to utilising our experience in the Omani real estate development sector and applying it to contribute to the formation of the sultanate’s next leisure destination.” 

The scheme will be built on a 2.2-square-kilometre plot of land on the coast to the northeast of Muscat. It involves the construction of duplexes, villas, 5-star hotels, sports and recreational facilities, and a heritage village. The resort aims to have two hotels ready for opening in 2017.

The first phase of work on site, which entails preparing the ground for infrastructure work to commence, is nearing completion. India’s Nagarjuna Construction Company International started work on the enabling package last year. The consultants working on the project include the US-based RTKL as the architect, the UK’s Halcrow Yolles as the engineer and the UK’s Aedas as the interior designer.

Jordan-based Saraya Holdings is developing the project in joint venture with Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran).