Mexico has canceled its high-speed rail contract with a Chinese-led consortium just days after accepting the group's $4.3 billion bid over "doubts and concerns that have been raised by public opinion," the Ministry of Communications and Transport said.

The consortium, which was the lone bidder for the project, was led by China Railway Construction Corp., and included China Railway International Group, China Railway Construction Corp. (Mexico) and CSR Corp. 

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The Ministry of Communications said it will hold a new auction for the multi-billion dollar project so that prospective train manufacturers have enough time to make proposals

The project calls for the building of high-speed passenger trains, and a 210-kilometer line (130 miles) linking the capital Mexico City and the central Mexican city of Queretaro.

Earlier this week, Mexico awarded the project to the Chinese consortium, and the Ministry says that the bidding was legitimate; however, President Enrique Pena Nieto nixed the deal to quell concerns over the lack of competing bids.

"The process being canceled had always been done at the proper time and adhered to legal terms," said the Ministry of Communications. "But the president is sensitive to the fact that such an important project with such high benefit for society not raise any doubt."

The Mexican government has said the high-speed rail link would take five years to construct, at a cost of 50.82 billion pesos ($3.74 billion).  

TagsMexico Revokes, Mexico Cancels, Mexico revokes high-speed rail deal, Enrique Pena Nieto, high-speed rail, bullet train, China Railway Construction Corp., China Railway International Group, China Railway Construction Corp. (Mexico) S.A. de C.V., CSR Corp.