Deadline Announced for Islamabad Electric Tram Feasibility Study

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday inaugurated a new electric bus depot and charging stations at Zero Point in Islamabad and directed the Capital Development Authority to complete a feasibility study within three months for a proposed tram service on two major routes.

Officials briefed the minister on plans to introduce an electric tram system in the capital. The authority has engaged the National University of Sciences and Technology to conduct the feasibility study. Naqvi instructed that the report be finalized within the stipulated timeframe.

Under the proposal, the tram would run from Islamabad International Airport to Lake View Park, which is also planned as the starting point of the Murree Glass Train project. A second route would connect Rawat to Lake View Park.

The project has remained under discussion for years without implementation, but officials indicated that authorities are now moving forward, particularly because of its potential link to the Murree initiative.

Separately, the minister said the government is working to revive the Rawalpindi-Islamabad railway service to provide a modern transport option for commuters. The Pakistan Railways and the Capital Development Authority previously held meetings on the proposal following directions from Shehbaz Sharif.

After a feasibility review, the proposed rail service is expected to operate between Margalla Railway Station and Saddar Rawalpindi. Officials noted that planners must proceed cautiously, recalling that a similar service launched in the 1990s was shut down within three months after failing to attract sufficient ridership.