After years of smooth drive to work, it is almost a déjà vu of yesteryears to be around Wadi Adai, where motorists from Muscat, Muttrah, Al Wadi al Kabir and Ruwi line up with those coming from Al Amerat.
One of the concerns due to the situation has been an increase in accidents. This time around, the motorists are urging everyone to drive safely to save time.
The experience from the first working week has made people come up with solutions to tackle the traffic congestion on Sultan Qaboos Road during peak hours.
The office-goers and school children tackle it during the early morning hours. One of the best solutions would be for most of the commuters from Muscat, Muttrah, Ruwi and Wadi Kabir to use the Darsait flyover, which was one of the popular suggestions. The congestion at the Qurum roundabout eases as many cars turn towards the Express Highway.
Al Amerat's residents genuinely feel the pinch, as Al Amerat is one of the fastest-growing towns. The traffic jam starts from there, said one road user.
"Earlier, the travelling time from Al Amerat to Qurum used to take around 15 to 20 minutes, and now it is more than an hour. I left my house at 8 am and reached my office at 9.15 am. I also noticed that there is an increase in accidents. Even the smallest of accidents cause further delays," said Huwaida al Balushi.
The traffic is bearable and mostly smooth during the afternoon and evening sessions, said road users. If there is a block, it is at Wadi Adai.
Ahmed al Riyami, who resides in Al Amerat, said: "I leave home by 6.15 am and still not able to avoid traffic. I don't want to be late at work, and I am sure that is the case with others too. So there is lot of nervousness around."
So, the morning drive to work has become tedious for most people.
"For those coming from Ruwi and Wadi Kabir, it might be best to go by Qurum Heights," said Abdulmalik Yousuf, who has also been thinking of other routes to get to work after dropping his children at school. He feels the traffic block in this area can have a ripple effect on other areas. His friend, however, feels it is convenient to use Sultan Qaboos Road as he lives in Ruwi.
Sultan al Balushi, who lives in Amerat, said people are tense as they take longer time to reach the office. "I have to start at around 6.30 am to ensure that I reach the office at 7.30 am. I came across two road accidents on Wednesday and one on Tuesday. The traffic is tight and vulnerable to mishaps on the road from Wadi Adai to Wattayah. The period between 6 am and 7 am has school students in addition to office goers. So naturally, the school buses are also part of the rush."
On Sunday, traffic was bottle-necked from the beginning of Al Amerat till the end, including the service roads, said Sultan.
The Royal Oman Police has been doing their part in easing the traffic in Al Amerat.
The traffic woe goes on to prove the importance of Al Amerat to Bausher Road. The mountain road from Amerat to Bausher should be ready within four months. But for now, the solutions are time management, practising patience and taking alternative routes, such as drivers from Muscat, Muttrah, Ruwi and Wadi Kabir opting for the Darsait flyover.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
