Saturday 25 / July / 2026
Muscat: Muscat Municipality’s ambitious redevelopment of the Central Business District (CBD) in Ruwi promises to transform one of the capital’s oldest commercial hubs into a more modern, organised and pedestrian-friendly destination.
However, while the long-term vision has been welcomed, the ongoing construction has temporarily disrupted the vibrant community life that once defined the area.
The municipality is carrying out comprehensive infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to roads, pavements, public spaces and amenities, as part of its efforts to enhance Muscat’s urban landscape and support sustainable development.
The project is designed to improve traffic flow, accessibility and the overall appearance of the district, reinforcing Ruwi’s role as a major commercial and business centre while creating a more attractive environment for residents, visitors and businesses.
Yet for many regular visitors, the redevelopment has come at the cost of cherished daily routines.
For years, the stretch from the Muscat Exchange area to the Oman Post Office building served as one of Ruwi’s most popular walking routes. Every morning and evening, residents gathered there for exercise under the shade of mature trees. Today, with large sections excavated for construction, there is barely enough space left for walkers.
The transformation has also silenced the lively recreational scene that once brought the neighbourhood to life after sunset.
Children who regularly played football and cricket along the wadi have disappeared from the area, their usual playground now occupied by construction activity.
Near Sri Saravana Bhavan, the nightly cricket matches that had become a hallmark of the neighbourhood have come to a halt. Cricket enthusiasts once gathered almost every evening, often playing until 2 a.m., while weekends turned the entire stretch into a festive social hub filled with families, spectators and friends.
Informal gatherings
Even those who were not interested in exercising found their own place in the neighbourhood. Many would simply sit along the pavements, enjoying the cool evening breeze and engaging in animated conversations with neighbours and friends. Those informal gatherings have largely vanished as construction continues.
Despite the temporary inconvenience, residents remain optimistic about the outcome.
Many say they understand the need for redevelopment and are eagerly looking forward to the project’s completion, hoping it will restore the area’s charm while providing improved facilities, safer walkways and greener public spaces.
Once completed, the revamped CBD is expected to offer a more comfortable and attractive environment where people can once again enjoy morning walks, evening strolls and community gatherings under Ruwi’s familiar green canopy, combining modern infrastructure with the neighbourhood’s long-standing social character.
