Announcing the news, SRO president Abdulaziz Al Hokail said the decision was taken after a number of consortia requested for an extension to submit the technical and financial proposals. 'In order to obtain more accurate, professional and integrated proposals, SRO has approved the request of consortia to extend the period until July 3,' he said. Al Hokail pointed out that a big scale project such as the HHR requires SRO and the competitors to act carefully when making the final proposals.

This is not the first time the closing date of the Phase 2 bid is extended. The organisation originally set a deadline of 31 January 2010 for companies to submit their bids, but it was pushed to 28 February 2010.

The President reassured that this delay will not affect the specific date for commissioning the project which is scheduled for the end of 2012.

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 signalling, telecommunications, 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.

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