MUSCAT, JAN 9 - The Ministry of Housing has received 122 requests for setting up fuel stations on two key highways. “A total of 122 requests have been received for integrated fuel stations across Batinah Expressway and Adam Thumrit Road. Most of these requests are for setting up fuel stations in Suwaiq area, while Al Ghaftain in Haima has received the least number of requests,” said the ministry.
Steps to set up such stations were taken in an attempt to combat driver fatigue on long drives and reduce the possibility of fatal accidents on highways and expressways.
Bids have been invited for setting up seven integrated fuel station complexes. Bidding was open from December 4 to January 6.
Plots will be allocated on both sides of Batinah Expressway in Suwaiq, on the right side in Saham and the left side in Liwa. On the Adam-Thumrait road, plots will be allocated in Al Ghaftain (Haima) and Haima city centre and Mukhaiznah.
Apart from fuel stations, the facilities will include rest rooms, a mosque, a shopping centre, car service centre, restaurant, parks and parking lots that will stimulate economic activity through tourism traffic.
Criteria for participation in the bidding is the applicant should not own a fuel station anywhere in the country.
The ministry had constituted a committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Supreme Planning Council for determining conditions and the price of bids before calling for the auction.
The highway route has been approved by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC). Distance between each station should not be less than 50 km.
Similar projects have been planned on Sharqiyah Expressway and Sur-Qurayat highway.
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