The high-speed rail project will bring about dramatic improvement in transportation of pilgrims between the two holy cities, the SRO said, adding that it has been built to accommodate 20 million passengers annually.
The 450-km Makkah-Madinah Rail Link is part of the major railway expansion project planned by the Kingdom, which includes linking Jeddah with the Riyadh-Dammam Railway and North-South Railway systems.
Once this Haramain project is completed it will provide a secure and speedy transport means for pilgrims, the SRO said. “It will also contribute to the Kingdom’s economic and social development,” it added.
According to one source, work on the Haramain Railway is progressing well as the government has completed acquisition of land for constructing rail tracks and stations.
“A number of bridges are under construction for the passage of the rail track,” he added.
The railway’s Jeddah station is likely to be located in Jamia Quwaiza as the Transport Ministry has acquired necessary land for the purpose.
It will have stations at King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.
The railway would transport at least three million Haj and Umrah pilgrims annually, a feasibility study said. The Haj Ministry has forecast the number of pilgrims would cross 20 million within the next 25 years. The ministry has estimated the annual increase in Haj pilgrims at 1.41 percent and Umrah pilgrims 3.14 percent.
Referring to the ongoing civil works, the SRO said: “This is the most difficult phase of the project as it involves identification of the final route and preparing the land by cutting rocks and filling holes.”
The designing and construction of railway stations would be done in the second stage, the SRO said, adding that the stations would be constructed following international standards.
All stations will have a common planning strategy but individual distinctive designs of buildings representing their respective cities.
 The stations will provide a broad range of facilities and a superior passenger experience.
The main station will have separate arrival and departure lounges, a VIP lounge, a helipad, 10 platforms, a mosque that can house 600 people, a Civil Defense center, and a parking area for 500 cars.
A number of contracts have been signed to implement the project.
A consortium led by Al-Rajhi Group won the main contract of SR6.7 billion for civil works. The Saudi Electricity Company has implemented a SR1.83 billion contract to supply electricity required by railway.
The SEC will set up six main 380KV-power supply stations for the railway and establish 380KV supply lines with a length of 245 km to link the six stations with the electricity network.
Last year British firms Foster and Partners and Buro Happold were awarded a SR142 million contract to design the railway's four stations.