By The Punjab government has taken a significant step toward modernizing inter-city transportation by approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the feasibility and design study of a high-speed rail link between Lahore and Rawalpindi. The decision came during the 30th meeting of the provincial cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, marking a notable move in the region’s long-term infrastructure development strategy.
Under the newly approved MoU, consultants will be tasked with developing preliminary engineering designs, technical assessments, and upgrade options for the current railway route. This includes examining track geometry, signaling systems, safety protocols, and potential modifications required to support faster train operations.
At present, the journey between Lahore and Rawalpindi typically takes between 4 to 5 hours. The provincial government aims to reduce this travel time to approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, positioning the route as a fast, efficient alternative to road and air travel. However, officials emphasize that this stage only establishes the framework, not the construction phase.
Technical and Financial Challenges
Industry experts and transport analysts caution that achieving true high-speed rail operations will require substantial upgrades to the existing railway infrastructure. The current alignment includes sharp curves, gradients, and bridges that were not designed for high-speed trains. A full “bullet-train style” overhaul could cost upwards of USD $10 billion, with no confirmed financing model yet announced.
Moreover, experts highlight the importance of completing foundational projects like Pakistan’s ML-1 upgrade before high-speed capabilities can be fully realized. Until feasibility studies are completed and funding sources finalized, the timeline for construction and service launch remains uncertain.
Additional Cabinet Decisions
During the same meeting, the cabinet also approved:
- Establishment of Air Punjab Private Limited
- Introduction of QR-code based cashless payment systems
- Rejection of proposed fare increases for electric buses
The approval of the feasibility study marks a transition from concept to structured planning for the Lahore–Rawalpindi high-speed rail corridor. While the initiative has strong political backing and the potential to transform inter-city mobility, the project faces considerable technical, operational, and funding challenges that must be addressed before implementation can move forward.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on currently available public reports and government announcements. Final project details, costs, and timelines may change as feasibility studies and official updates progress.
