Oman’S railway could take another four years before the first line is operational, Oman Rail chief commercial officer John Lesniewski was quoted as saying by local newspapers.

The company is refocusing its priorities on using rail in non-coastal areas to transport materials such as dolomite, gypsum and marble to its ports at Sohar, Duqm and Salalah.

The $11-billion rail network was due to be built in four phases with the first comprising 207 km of track from the border town of Buraimi to Sohar port.

Tenders were floated in September 2014 and an award was expected to be made last year.

“We’re looking at this year where we do the reassessment and initial early planning. Then next year we will do the tendering, and then probably two-and-a-half years after that will be actual construction,” he said.