Arabian Business reported that a Spanish consortium has reportedly won a contract worth USD 10 billion to build a rail network linking key cities in Saudi Arabia. The deal covers a proposed high speed rail link between Madinah, Jeddah and the Muslim pilgrimage site of Makkah.

The Saudi Railway Organization previously said that the Haramain rail project will be capable of accommodating 20 million passengers per year and will provide transport for pilgrims.

The 450 kilometers Makkah and Madinah Rail Link is part of the major railway expansion project which includes linking Jeddah with the Riyadh Dammam Railway and North South Railway systems.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca attracts some 2.5 million Muslims from around the world for a stay of two weeks on average. The winning consortium will supply the high speed trains and maintain the line for a period of 12 years.

Spain and France have been in stiff competition to win the contract which was raised during a visit to Saudi Arabia in February by Mr Francois Fillon PM of France. Spain has been a world leader in high speed rail networks and now has the longest such system in Europe ahead of France.

(Sourced from www.arabianbusiness.com)