ahore has long enjoyed the luxury of modern transport systems, including the Metro bus and the Orange Line train. Now, the Transport Department is aiming higher with an ambitious plan to introduce a high-speed rail link between Lahore and Rawalpindi. If approved, this groundbreaking project is expected to cost around $1.6 billion. The train promises to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities.

Muhammad Irfan, an engineer with Nespak, is one of the many who is awaiting the day this project becomes a reality.

“I currently visit my family in Rawalpindi twice a month because the journey is exhausting,” he says. “If this train can travel at 250 km/ h, I could be in Rawalpindi in less than two hours.”

For many like Irfan, the high-speed rail project could transform their routines and connect loved ones more easily.

Long road ahead

However, there is a long way to go before anyone boards this fast train. Although the Punjab Transport and Mass Transit Department has submitted a proposal for the project to the chief minister, it will require extensive planning and substantial investment.

Ahmed Javed Qazi, the Transport and Mass Transit Department secretary, says that while the project can be a game-changer, the plan is far from complete. “We are in the early stages of planning. A project like this requires meticulous preparation to ensure that it is safe and efficient,” he says.

Once completed, the high-speed rail project will make Lahore and Rawalpindi the first cities in Pakistan to be linked by a fast, efficient train service. This represents a significant leap forward for Pakistan’s transportation infrastructure, aligning the country with global trends in mass transit.

Globally, more than 90 percent of high-speed rail traffic is concentrated in a handful of countries. China leads the pack. According to Qazi, China’s rail network is a model for what Pakistan could achieve.

“In China, high-speed trains have transformed passenger and freight transportation. The Beijing-Shanghai route is one of the busiest high-speed rail corridors in the world,” he says. Other countries, like Saudi Arabia, have also embraced high-speed rail, with some of the trains reaching speeds of 300 km/ h.

What does this mean for Pakistan?

Are we truly ready for such a project? Qazi responds with a cautious “not yet.”

Bringing high-speed rail to Pakistan presents a range of challenges.

“First and foremost, dedicated tracks will need to be constructed, designed specifically for high-speed trains,” Qazi says. These tracks cannot be laid at ground level; to ensure safety and smooth travel, they will need to be elevated or placed underground.

The estimated cost of constructing high-speed rail in Pakistan is between $20 million and $25 million per kilometre. “This is still a rough estimate,” Qazi says, “but it gives us an idea of the financial scale we are looking at.”

Maintenance, too, will be no small feat. High-speed rail tracks require daily inspections. Even a slightest variation—as small as a few millimetres—could lead to a catastrophic derailment.

He says Pakistan’s current railway system, where trains run at an average speed of just 80 to 90 km/ h, is outdated. Even so, there are frequent derailments. “We are still operating on old tracks. Our rail corridors are not fully fenced. This makes them dangerous, especially at level crossings,” Qazi adds.

The cost of upgrade

Despite the challenges, Pakistan is already taking steps toward modernising its railways under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative. The Main Line 1 project, which aims to upgrade the country’s key rail routes, is currently under way. This project will upgrade rail lines from Karachi to Peshawar in several phases. The emphasis is on improving safety and efficiency.

Upgrading the Lahore-Rawalpindi route under ML-1, presents unique challenges. The hilly terrain near Jhelum, for instance, slows down trains considerably. To maintain high speeds, a new alignment will need to be created.

The cost of upgrading the ML-1 alone is estimated to be around $6 billion, a significant sum for a country already struggling with economic difficulties. However, the project is considered a necessary investment for Pakistan’s future.

“If we don’t modernise now, we’ll fall further behind,” Qazi warns.

But with such a large price tag, funding options are crucial. Qazi cites the example of India, which has received considerable financial support from Japan for its high-speed rail link between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Pakistan, may face even higher costs because of its reliance on imported technology and materials. On the upside, the country’s relatively cheaper labour could help offset some of these expenses.

The estimated cost of constructing high-speed rail in Pakistan is between $20 million to $25 million per kilometre. “This is still a rough estimate,” Qazi says, “but it gives us an idea of the financial scale we are looking at.”

At this stage, the project is in its pre-feasibility phase. More studies are needed to assess its technical and financial viability. However, Qazi says he is optimistic that once the plans are ready funding options will be available.

Connecting people

For people like Muhammad Irfan, the project means more time with family. But there is another challenge. Qazi says that high speed trains will not carry freight.

“This is not just a train,” Irfan says. “It’s a lifeline for people who need to travel frequently for work, family or business.”

As of now, the high-speed rail project is still a vision. However, the Transport Department is undeterred. “We are working hard to turn this into a reality,” Qazi says.

Other than the high-speed rail project, the provincial government is working on improving Lahore’s urban transport system. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz recently approved a new tram service that will connect key areas such as Kalma Chowk, Liberty Market and Gaddafi Stadium. The tram project, inspired by systems in Finland and China, is expected to cost Rs 27 billion.

The writer is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship