Punjab’s plan to introduce a high-speed rail service between Lahore and Rawalpindi is facing serious setbacks, with experts and officials saying the project is not possible under current conditions.
Last month, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a meeting to explore the idea. A working group, including Punjab’s transport minister and top rail officials, was formed to assess its feasibility.
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However, experts say three major issues stand in the way: outdated rail infrastructure, high costs, and difficult terrain.
Sources in Pakistan Railways said the idea of a bullet train is just a “dream” for now. “The tracks are too old and can’t support high speeds,” one official explained. Trains currently take 4.5 to 5.5 hours between the two cities, and the top speed is limited to 65 km/h.
CM Maryam wants the travel time cut to two hours. In response, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi proposed upgrading the track to allow speeds of 100 km/h, which would cost about Rs. 40 billion.
Even if trains reach 150 km/h, mechanical engineer Riaz Rashid says they still wouldn’t meet global high-speed standards, which start at 200 km/h.
Experts also say the curved and hilly terrain, along with multiple rivers and canals along the route, makes it unsuitable for a high-speed line. Building a dedicated track could cost up to $15 billion and take several years.
Officials agree that while the project is attractive, it isn’t feasible without massive investment and long-term planning.
