Pakistan’s ambitious plan to introduce a bullet train between Lahore and Rawalpindi is meeting both enthusiasm and skepticism, with railway officials questioning its feasibility while political leaders champion it as a transformative project.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has greenlit the proposal, aiming to slash travel time between the two cities from 4-5 hours to just 2.5 hours. However, senior railway officials warn that Pakistan’s outdated rail infrastructure cannot support true bullet train speeds of 200-500 km/h. The existing 280-kilometer track has sharp curves, steep gradients, and aging bridges that would require complete reconstruction.
“The idea is a dream with our current system,” said one official anonymously. Even achieving moderate high-speed rail (160 km/h) would cost Rs200-300 billion, while full bullet train infrastructure could run $17-40 million per kilometer. Ticket prices may exceed Rs15,000-20,000—putting it beyond most passengers’ reach without heavy subsidies.
Proponents point to past successes like the motorway network and Lahore’s Orange Line Metro, which overcame initial skepticism. A phased approach is being considered, starting with track upgrades for 160 km/h speeds before pursuing full high-speed rail. Feasibility studies for six additional routes are underway, with potential Chinese collaboration on financing.
While the bullet train vision captures public imagination, experts urge focus on the long-delayed ML-1 upgrade first. “If we complete ML-1 with China’s help, we might not even need a separate bullet train,” argued a railway insider. For now, the project remains caught between ambition and reality.
Also read: Lahore-Rawalpindi bullet train plan faces major hurdles
