The organization originally set a deadline of 31 January 2010 for companies to submit their bids, but this has now been pushed back to 28 February 2010.

According to a source close to the project, the main reason for the delay is that the tender process has changed. It was supposed to be two steps: one, technical and two, financial. Now it will be one step together, technical and financial.

The bidders are competing for the Phase 2 of the USD 7 billion scheme to link Mecca, Medina and Jeddah by rail.

Five groups are expected to submit bids: Saudi Binladin Consortium (German), Badr Consortium (Korean), CSR Consortium (Chinese), Al Shoula Consortium (Spanish) and Al Rajhi Consortium (French).

The successful bidder will work on the construction of the track as well as signaling, telecoms, electrification and an operational control centre. The contract also includes the procurement and maintenance of trains and rail infrastructure for 12 years after completion.

HHR is the first high speed rail programme in the Middle East and is a 320 kph railway linking the cities of Makkah, Jeddah, the new King Abdullah Economic City and Medina, as well as the International Airport in Jeddah.