SRO warns contractors against Al-Haramain train project delay

Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Railways Organization Abdullah Al-Muqbel has called on the contractors of the Al-Haramain train project to complete the remaining phases of the project as soon as possible and to submit within two months an emergency plan to avoid delays in the implementation operations.
The minister warned that this was the final call for the completion of the rail project prior to taking the necessary criminal action which may include withdrawing the project from the contractor.
The warning came following a recent surprise visit by the minister over a span of two days to the location of the project where he inspected the course of work along the train’s track between the cities of Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah in addition to the train stations.
The minister urged the contractor to accelerate the pace of work in the completion phases within two months. He said that the emergency plan should include increasing the equipment and manpower and other materials to expedite the work of the project.
Al-Muqbel inspected the course of work at the Jeddah station which is in its final stages and urged the contractor to complete the finishing touches.
The visit included a tour to the work locations at the overpass to the north of the station on Al-Haramain Road where the minister gave directions to contractors to recruit qualified and experienced manpower to complete the project quickly.
The minister also inspected the work site at the train station in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, including the workshop established to manufacture the necessary requirements of the railway.
During the tour, Al-Muqbel met with members of the Spanish consortium (RENFE) that will implement the second phase of the work and discussed with the officials the reasons for the delays in a number of locations. The minister conveyed the order of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to make all possible efforts to complete the work within the deadline.
The minister referred to the provisions of the contract concerning delays in the work completion of projects and stressed that contractors could face the consequences.
The minister inspected the Madinah station and the passengers’ station in Makkah as well.
Al-Muqbel stressed the fact that the Al-Haramain train project is one of the giant projects implemented by the government of the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to serve citizens, residents and visitors to the Grand Mosque. The prestigious project enjoys the extensive attention of the leadership of the country.
Al-Haramain train project will link the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, passing through Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh by an electric railway track 450 km long to commute pilgrims and visitors.
The project involves building five passenger stations in the center of Jeddah city, at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, in Makkah, Madinah and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.
The transport minister was accompanied in his inspection tour by Mohammed Al-Suwaiket, president of SRO, and a number of SRO and Transport Ministry officials.