Saudi begins work on Makkah metro

Authorities in Makkah have begun digging tunnels for the city’s metro system.

Saudi Gazette reports that about 120 cubic metres of concrete was poured on part of the train track parallel with King Abdul Aziz street.

This marks the first step towards the construction of the Makkah B metro line which will over a distance of 11km in its initial stage.

The holy city’s mayor, Osama Albar, said the first stage would comprise seven stations in cluding the Jamarat terminal – the last station on the soon to open Haramain high speed train line linking Makkah with Jeddah and Madinah.

Read: Saudi conducts Haramain Express Train passenger trial

The metro will extend to Al-Malawi District and on to the southeast of the Grand Mosque where a three-way station for trains, buses and taxis will be built.

It will then continue west to link to the metro C line, which starts from Umm Al-Qura University and reaches on to Al-Madinah road.

Saudi is expected to seek public private partnerships for most of its major rail projects going forward as low oil prices place pressure on government revenues.

Read: Saudi seeks PPPs for Makkah, Jeddah, Damman, Madinah metros