Plans for a bullet train between Lahore and Rawalpindi face serious doubts from experts, who say the project is not possible due to outdated infrastructure, high costs, and difficult terrain, according to a report published in Dawn.
According to railway officials, Pakistan’s existing tracks are far too old to support high-speed trains. Trains currently average only 60–70 km/h, with the fastest service taking over four hours.
“It is impossible to run a bullet train on this worn-out infrastructure,” one official told Dawn. They also noted that Pakistan lacks compatible coaches, locomotives, and signaling systems.
Experts say a true high-speed rail system would cost $12–15 billion. One proposal to raise train speeds to 160 km/h by upgrading the current track could still require Rs. 400 billion. Even then, it wouldn’t meet global bullet train standards, which are 250 km/h or higher.
Terrain is another major hurdle. The route between Lahore and Rawalpindi is not straight, includes sharp curves, hilly areas, and crosses major rivers like the Chenab, Ravi, and Jhelum.
Mechanical engineer Riaz Rashid said such conditions would require a completely new, specially built track—something even India has struggled with since 2016.
Pakistani experts are the worst creatures on this planet, they are mentally ill, always discouraging any positive development in light of their useless opinions just like their useless degrees and careers. What have they done in their life other than having some certifications and degrees? If govt planning something good for its people these people should offer their help and experience to build what is seems to be impossible.
If Pakistan wants to move ahead and grow then its people need to stop listing these useless experts. In today’s technologically advanced world, every country is doing what is good for them even if they have to invent new technology to fulfill their need. Look at China, Japan, Iran, USA, Russia, and many more they have done what seemed impossible, you know why? those people do not give a shit about useless experts with zero achievements in practical life.
if we have to assume these experts are valid enough then every new thing is impossible to achieve, you can understand their limited mentality by understanding that those hurdles that are mentioned in the article can already be bypassed by other nations we have to ask for assistance.
just rebuild normal high speed train infrastructure … no need for bullet trains for now… maybe after 2040 when we have the resources to support such big infrastructure projects…. biggest of all being money… in 10 billion dollars one can revamp entire Pakistan railway infrastructure, modernize it, replace tracks with new ones and make the tracks electric, electric/hybrid trains, new stations, new tech… with trains easily maxing out at 160-200 kmph…
bullet trains should only be considered when we have some 500 billion usd in reserves
This is impossible n the present form 47 Punjab govt under the Nani Maryam Safdar Napak can never fulfill it
Form 47 are the only ones working. Form 45’s own province is sinking everyday.
In all due honesty, it is only the PML government that has eased lives of the common man through such projects though at a huge price. I hate them too, but let’s give credit honestly where due. Rest, yes, I also dislike that immature woman and her entire family from the core of my heart.
Pakistan will get bullet trains after the year 9050 and they will be miniature samples😜
Upgradation of track is possible and dire need for which federal and provincial govts and ADB/WB provide funding on feasibility for a speed up to 170 km/hr . Long live Pakistan.
Don’t build bullet train project from borrowed money. This will be another burden on poor citizens of Pakistan. Instead invest money to improve judicial system for fulfilling their requirements. Cases are pending in lower courts for ( civil & criminal) more than 50 years. People are unnecessarily suffering. Remove the misery of common man by digitalizing court records. Import lower court judges in quality and quantity by imparting training and strict monitoring of cases.
We need development that directly affect/ improve life of common man.
Sir, don’t take it seriously 😳! In Pakistan these kind of announcements are not more than publicity stunts, Anyways this rusted,torn and damaged tran track was made by Britain about a century ago,this system is being used without any upgradtion,it’s true that it can’t support the speed of over 70Km per hour,they will start project locate the 20% starting funds,take their commissions, and leave the project and next government will close the file by disclosure of 20% looted advance funds and that’s it
Just fix old trains and tracks. So the current situation would be better. Please invest on this.
Great you r right but why do we suffer 😔 our money eaten by leaders politicians establishment.For example I need I demand bullet train give me in 2 yrs.
They can’t.
Yes ok no need for bullet training otherwise will be accidents all our money is engulfed by leaders politicians and establishment we are at the suffering end I mean people common man, They have plains v don’t our plain is train but no possible I love trains 😀 but sad
To gain vote bank in Punjab everything can be done but brainless forget to develop economy hub Karachi, where LUTTO AND PHUTTO policy is adopted for development.
Why development is only in Punjab? Why Not in economic hub Karachi? The maximum revenue generation city Karachi is just like Mohenjo-Daro, it’s development policies are based on LUTTO AND PHUTTO. Least bothered by all stake holders?
Bullet train being not viable we should concentrate on upgrading the railway track and associated works fm karachi to Peshawar as soon as possible so as to run high speed trains under CPEC.This will save us billion of rupees in transportation of goods, people and saving time.
Refrence to theee comments Seems people off pakistan are not serious in their future.i want to ask ?
Who give u benefit of motorway?
Who give u Metro Bus benefit to poor Nation
Who give the benefit of Metro train facility to ooor people?
Who give scholarship benefits to poor students ?
Who give laptops to intelligent students of punjab even ?
So plz always appreciate the best things of all governments as well.
Mostly good projects has been facilitated and executed in the govt of PMLN..
Remember , all these projects have landed us in this huge debt. The projects are built with borrowed dollars but they generate revenue in rupees , which devalue in no time , but the dollar does not . The politicians are interested in the kickbacks ,& we, the citizens end up with repaying the debt thru heavy taxation !! It’s time such projects are put on hold until we can manage the resultant debt.
Is pakistan . What do you expect ?
I can create a dream come true with in the budget i can create high speed railways from lahore to rawalpindi in the proposed budget the only thing is they need to hire me and i will make this dream come true because things might be difficult but not impossible i will only bring changes to some of the structure and pakistan railways will run trains at a speed 160 to 250 km/h
Bullet train is the need of time.
Our students get higher degrees and work abroad as we don’t have sophisticated infrastructures to exercise their skill and knowledge.
Chigchee is not our fate, we have to make Pakistan where our coming generation should be equipped with technology sense.
Feasible or not feasible is relative thing.
Main issue is kickbacks are attractive.
This report highlights some very real challenges. While the idea of a bullet train between Lahore and Rawalpindi sounds exciting, the reality is that outdated infrastructure, massive costs, and complex terrain make it nearly impossible under current conditions. Pakistan needs to prioritize upgrading its existing rail system first before aiming for high-speed solutions. Ambition is good, but it must be backed by groundwork and feasibility.