(36.08) Fast trains running on the Mecca-Medina route in September
Saudi Arabia's fastest rail network is going to be launched in September this year. This fast train service is being introduced on the route from Mecca to Medina. Spanish Consortium, the project's builder, told this information Thursday
Al-Sola Consortium said in a statement that the project was scheduled to be launched by the end of 2016. But the cost of the project increased by Tk. 2,696 crore due to delay in construction work. The Saudi government has agreed to provide additional costs for the project.
After the launch of the project in September, four trains will go-off every week. However, train service will be introduced daily from September 2019.
In 2011, 60,212 crore taka (7.1 billion dollars) of this project was sponsored by 12 institutions in Spain and two Saudi companies. This project is being built to allow lakhs of pilgrims coming to Hajj every year to easily travel from Mecca to Medina.
Spain's top local institution will construct a 444-kilometer railroad on the Mecca-Medina route and provide 35 trains. They will be maintaining this railway for 12 years. After completing the work, one lakh 66 thousand passengers will be able to go and come every day. But due to the cost of the project, it is facing the challenge. Who is responsible for the extra cost? Who will pay the additional cost of the project? - There is a dispute between the contractor organizations.
A report in the Spanish daily El Mundo said that last year, Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman came to Spain and played an important role in solving problems created for delay in the project.
Spain's top rail company, Ranifi, the train maker Talogo and the railroad operator Adeef have extensive experience in building high speed railways. After China, the second largest high-speed railway is in Spain.