Incredible £2bn megacity to feature country’s first train line | World | News

Sultan Haitham City will be part of a wider £2billion Smart City project and is designed to provide homes for 100,000 people and support both locals and visitors. 

The city in Oman is expected to preserve Oman’s traditional low-rise architecture while modernising its infrastructure.

It will be connected to the ambitious Gulf Railway project, which is estimated to cost £196 billion. 

The railway will link six countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. 

Stretching for over 1,300 miles, it will be the first time Oman has had a rail system. 

The project aims to improve transport and trade links across the region.

Although the Gulf Railway was originally planned to open in 2018, budget issues have delayed construction by several years.

Oman Rail will manage the country’s portion of the railway, which will link Muscat to major GCC cities. 

Experts believe the fluctuating price of oil and minerals has affected the project’s timeline, but construction is still anticipated to begin soon.

The city and railway projects are part of Oman’s broader efforts to diversify its economy as the country looks towards a future less reliant on oil. 

Sultan Haitham City is expected to be completed by 2045 and will contribute to this vision by offering modern housing while maintaining a focus on cultural preservation.