The Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) is reportedly preparing a SAR365bn ($97bn) strategic plan to establish a robust railway network in the country.
The plan is intended to focus on enhancing the railway network in the country and implementing various other projects to interconnect the country’s states or cities by the year 2040.
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As part of the project, the construction of a 9,900km-long integrated railway network with 19 railway lines by the end of 2040 is being considered.
SRO president Muhammad Al-Suwaiket said that the organisation is working to rectify the performance of lines spanning between Dammam and Al-Ahsa through Abqaiq, by redeveloping internal departments.
"The organisation seeks to maintain passenger safety and build a good reputation by implementing plans over the next 20 years to cover all major cities of the Kingdom," Al-Suwaiket said.
Construction work on the Haramain high-speed railway and a north-south line is currently underway.
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By GlobalDataWorks on the line connecting Jeddah to Riyadh and a link between Gulf countries are slated to begin in the near future.
SRO is also engaged in the designing of parts that are required for the projects within the Kingdom.
Commenting on the 2,200km GCC railway project, Al-Suwaiket added: "The huge GCC railway project will start from Kuwait and go through the Kingdom, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, ending in Oman."
SRO’s work on this project is scheduled to begin in 2018.
