The Omani government is working on a major project to revamp the ancient village of Muttrah in the sultanate and develop it into a modern city along with traditional houses and heritage sites to attract tourists from across the world, said a report.

The multi-million-dollar 'Muttrah Infrastructure Integration and Redevelopment Project' focuses on raising the efficiency of health and environmental services and expand the current necessary services including public transport, telecom, storm water drainage and other services and provide ample parking space in the area, reported Oman Observer.

The Muttrah city masterplan is ready and focus will be on giving a major facelift to the ancient village which will bring in a comprehensive transformation to the living conditions as well as the tourism attractions and the way business is done here, it stated.

Roads to and from this area too will be widened, while the entry and exit points will be developed to receive more visitors to the ancient Muttrah Souq.

According to town planners, a gargantuan effort is under way to preserve the historical and cultural identity of the city and the heritage status of the souq and to preserve the ancient and cultural character of the city which traces back to centuries and they will be kept unchanged, said the report.

Oman's unique natural setting of vast mountains too will be kept untouched and substantial attention to balance between city development and environmental protection is duly paid to, it stated.

At the same time, efforts to pull in more international visitors to support Oman tourism is made in line with the transformation of the Sultan Qaboos Port to a fully tourist-centric gateway, the report added.