Muscat: Al Hoota Cave Company of Omran Group said discussion are going on with a company to restart Al Hoota Cave electric train. According to Ibrahim bin Said al Wahaibi, Projects Director at the company, operation of the train has been suspended due to a glitch reported in the railway, affirming that the company was hunting for a best bargain to restore the service.
“We are waiting for technical and financial evaluation to be sent by an Iranian company that visited the site earlier”, he added. Al Wahaibi reiterated that the cave is open to its visitors despite the train suspension, noting that the distance travelled by the train covers 500 to 550 metres from the Visitor’s Centre to the man -made tunnel. The delay in fixing the glitch was attributed to various circumstances triggered by Covid-19, including travel ban, lockdowns and other preventive measures, Al Wahaibi said. “As ensuring the safety of our visitors is a top priority, the company had taken its time to search for the best speciality company in this domain."
Extending over 4.5 km (2.8 miles), Al Hoota is located at the foot of Jabal Shams, Oman‘s highest mountain. The cave has been formed and shaped by natural process over millions of years, creating stalactites hanging from the ceilings and stalagmites reaching up from the floor. Silence engulfs you as you enter the cave, stepping foot into its impressive chambers.
All year round, water runs through Hoota Cave, providing a habitat for tiny blind cave fish. As a tourist attraction, a train ride is a must to provide an unforgettable comprehensive experience.
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