Public praises Lahore to Islamabad bullet train project

ISLAMABAD: People who frequently travel between Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore have expressed excitement following the government’s announcement of a high-speed bullet train project. Many are eagerly awaiting the start of construction, hopeful that the new facility will provide a much faster and more comfortable alternative to existing transport options.

According to reports, the proposed bullet train is expected to reduce travel time between Lahore and Islamabad to less than three hours — a development that many consider both exciting and hard to believe at this stage. If successful, the service could become the preferred mode of transport, replacing expensive and time-consuming bus services such as Daewoo, whose ageing fleet often takes up to five and a half hours for the journey.

Travelling by private car, whether via GT Road or the M2 motorway, typically takes around five hours. Meanwhile, the existing train service is even slower, with average speeds rarely exceeding 100 km/h. Delays are also common, with the scheduled four-and-a-half-hour journey sometimes stretching to six or even seven hours.

The bullet train’s advanced speed and modern design are expected to significantly cut travel time.

However, the government still faces major challenges in bringing the project to life. Various funding models are being explored, including public-private partnerships, as the construction is estimated to cost billions of rupees. Extensive upgrades will also be required, including renovation of bridges, improvement of existing tracks, and removal of curves and rough patches that currently limit train speed.

Preparations have already begun to develop the high-speed rail line, which aims to connect Islamabad and Lahore in just two hours and 45 minutes. Some officials claim this will be the first time in the country’s history that a bullet train project of international standards is being launched, marking a significant milestone in Punjab’s development.

However, sceptics argue that the project may not be feasible, given the heavy investment required and the complexity of upgrading a track that is not straight and includes numerous curves, bridges, and deteriorated sections.

The idea of introducing a bullet train in Pakistan was originally envisioned by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Current reports suggest that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to lay the foundation stone soon, an event being described as the beginning of a new era of growth and connectivity.

In the days ahead, it will become clearer how the government plans to carry out the required renovations and whether the ambitious target of cutting travel time to under three hours can be achieved. In addition to saving time, the bullet train is expected to offer a high-quality transport service to the public, transforming inter-city travel between Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Lahore.

Once completed, the bullet train project is expected to result in significant savings in both fuel consumption and travel time.

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