During its meetings with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and the Royal Oman Police The Services and Public Utilities Committee of the Shura Council discusses solutions to traffic congestion in Muscat Governorate

    The Services and Public Utilities Committee of the Shura Council met this morning (Tuesday) with officials from the Royal Oman Police and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, as part of its study of a proposal on mitigating traffic congestion in Muscat Governorate through the development of a sustainable urban transport system. The meeting forms part of the Committee’s ongoing efforts to examine infrastructure and transport challenges and to identify practical and sustainable solutions to address increasing traffic congestion in the Governorate.
At the outset of the meeting, the Committee received officials from the Royal Oman Police. H.E. Dr. Hamoud Ahmed Al Yahyai, Chairman of the Committee, welcomed the attendees and commended the role of the Royal Oman Police in regulating traffic movement across the Sultanate of Oman. He highlighted its role in ensuring traffic flow and enhancing road safety, and expressed appreciation for its continued efforts in managing traffic and addressing congestion, particularly in Muscat Governorate, which is witnessing steady urban and population growth.
Officials from the Royal Oman Police delivered a presentation on the current traffic situation in Muscat Governorate, outlining the main roads experiencing high traffic density and analysing the key factors contributing to congestion. These include the continuous increase in vehicle numbers, expanding economic activity, and urban expansion in certain areas. The presentation also reviewed measures implemented to address congestion, including improving intersection management, upgrading traffic signal systems, increasing traffic presence at key locations, and adopting modern technologies to enhance traffic management efficiency.
The presentation further highlighted a number of ongoing development projects, including road infrastructure improvements, expansion of selected main roads, development of smart monitoring systems, and strengthening traffic awareness among road users to reduce behaviours contributing to congestion.
Following the presentation, Members of the Committee put forward a number of proposals to address the issue more effectively. These focused on enhancing coordination among relevant authorities, particularly in relation to road development and infrastructure projects, most notably the Muscat Expressway upgrade project. Members also stressed the importance of integrated traffic management plans to accompany project implementation in order to minimise temporary impacts, while emphasising the need for alignment between government entities and the Royal Oman Police to achieve optimal outcomes.


In a separate segment of the meeting, the Committee received officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. Discussions addressed the Ministry’s role in tackling traffic congestion through urban planning tools and development strategies, which represent a key long-term approach to addressing this issue.
During the meeting, the Ministry presented the Greater Muscat Structure Plan, outlining its main features and its role in guiding urban growth to achieve a balanced distribution of land use. The presentation also covered plans to address congestion through the development of public transport, promotion of human-centred urban design, and improved integration of the road network. It further highlighted challenges resulting from the absence of a comprehensive structural plan in previous periods.
Members of the Committee emphasised the importance of urban planning in addressing traffic congestion, noting that sustainable solutions require an integrated approach that considers population distribution, land use patterns, and mobility needs. They also stressed the need to adopt innovative solutions to redistribute residential density and reduce pressure on high-activity areas, drawing on successful international experiences.
Members called for accelerating immediate solutions to address current congestion, alongside continued implementation of long-term strategic plans. They emphasised the importance of aligning urban strategies with the geographical nature of Muscat Governorate to ensure practical solutions that improve traffic flow and enhance quality of life.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr. Hamoud Ahmed Al Yahyai and attended by Members of the Committee, as part of the Shura Council’s efforts to address priority national issues and develop recommendations that contribute to improving the urban transport system in line with sustainable development objectives in the Sultanate of Oman.