A township to call home for bachelors
The new complexes, which will have many facilities, are likely to come up in the industrial areas of Muscat
FAHAD AL MUKRASHI fahad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A township featuring residential complexes for expatriate bachelors working in the capital is one proposal being investigated by Muscat Municipality.
The new township, which will have many facilities, is likely to come up in the industrial areas of Muscat, an official of Muscat Municipality told Times of Oman. The official, however, clarified that the township would be built after it is approved by the concerned government authorities. The official didn’t have more details about the upcoming township. Most of the expatriate bachelors now live in the residential areas of Muscat.
While Muscat Municipality has no plans to evict bachelor expatriates living in commercial areas like Ruwi, Wadi Kabir, some parts of Seeb and Hail, those living in “family residential areas” like Wadi Adai will be asked to move to places where families don’t live.
Meanwhile, Muscat Municipality, along with other government units, plans to intensify inspection in areas where bachelor expatriates live. This move comes following repeated complaints from national and expatriate families who claim that they feel uncomfortable having bachelor expatriates as neighbours. The families accuse bachelor expatriates of being “noisy,” “drunk” and also “harassing women.”
Some of the residential areas, particularly in Ruwi and Muttrah, are congested with a large number of bachelor ex- patriates living there. “We are witnessing an increasing number of drug dealers, prostitution rings, thefts and other crimes in these areas,” Salim Al Ghamari, a Muscat Municipal Council member, told Times of Oman.
Al Ghamari said the number of bachelor expatriates living in residential complexes would be regulated soon. As per a new rule, only a stipulated number of people can live in a particular house. “For example, not more three persons can live in a room of four square metres,” Al Ghamari said.
Those found violating the rule, Al Ghamari said, will have to pay hefty fines. The landlords will be informed by Muscat Municipality about the new law when it comes into effect.
As of now, there is no law to stop the landlords from renting out their homes to bachelor expatriates. “The move to have a residential township for bachelor expatriates is a welcome one. It would do good to both bachelor expatriates as well as families. I am sure families will feel a lot more comfortable and at peace. Besides, the bachelors too can feel more comfortable in their own communities,” said a national who has bachelor expatriates as neighbours.