Dec 09, Kathmandu - Saudi Arabia and Qatar signed an agreement on Monday to build a high-speed rail line connecting the Gulf kingdom’s capitals, the latest sign of improved diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“The high-speed electric passenger rail line will connect Riyadh and Doha,” Saudi state media reported, citing a government statement.

Al-Hofuf and Dammam in Saudi Arabia are also expected to join the network.

Once built, the railway will feature high-speed electric trains that will travel at speeds of more than 300 kilometers per hour, reducing the travel time between the two capitals to about two hours, officials said.

Direct flights between the two major cities in the Gulf state currently take about 90 minutes.

The project, which will be completed in six years, is expected to serve 10 million passengers per year.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.