Here’s why bullet train between Lahore and Rawalpindi is just a dream for the time being

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The Punjab government is making decisions to build a bullet train between Lahore and Rawalpindi has been widely celebrated as a landmark step in the province’s development. Lawmakers and officials have praised the initiative for its potential to transform transportation, boost the economy, and bring Pakistan closer to international standards. 

A First for Pakistan 

• This is the first bullet train project of international standards in Pakistan’s history. 

• The train will connect Rawalpindi and Lahore, two of the country’s major cities. 

• It’s expected to drastically reduce travel time and offer modern, comfortable travel to commuters. 

Political Leaders Show Strong Support 

• Members of the National Assembly, Punjab Assembly, and Senate have all expressed strong support. 

• They believe that Punjab’s development is vital for Pakistan’s national progress. 

• Former PM Nawaz Sharif was credited with first proposing the idea of a bullet train. 

Groundwork and Execution 

• Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi have completed initial preparations. 

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to lay the foundation stone soon. 

• The project is seen as a starting point for future modernization in public infrastructure. 

What Lawmakers Are Saying 

• Chaudhry Tanveer Khan: “When PML-N is in power, development speeds up. The bullet train shows we are moving with the world.” 

• Nuzhat Sadiq (MNA): Credited Maryam Nawaz for driving Punjab’s development. 

• Senator Nasir Mehmood Butt: Highlighted the importance of modern transportation to national growth. 

• Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry (MNA): Emphasized time-saving and comfort for the public. 

• Malik Iftikhar (MPA): Said the train would transform daily life for thousands of people. 

• Haji Parvez (PML-N Leader): Noted the project would lead to fuel savings and economic efficiency. 

A New Era in Public Transport 

This bullet train project is not just about speed — it’s about vision, connectivity, and progress. For many in Punjab, it marks the beginning of a new era where travel is faster, infrastructure is modern, and Pakistan moves confidently into the future. 

Read more: Proposed bullet train project between Lahore and Rawalpindi will cost over $10 billion

Professionals reveal 3 reasons why the Punjab Bullet train is impossible for the time being

The dream of a lightning-fast bullet train connecting Lahore and Rawalpindi has captured public imagination; however, specialists warn it’s far from achievable — as a minimum for now. 

Fresh analysis reveals Pakistan faces 3 critical obstacles: crumbling railway infrastructure, staggering project prices, and a challenging landscape that needs far greater than an easy upgrade. 

Railway insiders verify that Pakistan’s current tracks, averaging speeds of simply 60–70 km/h, are not fit for bullet train demands. Even the country’s quickest rail trips still exceed 4 hours. 

“Running a bullet train on those tracks is beyond impossible,” one railway official bluntly said, highlighting the lack of modern coaches, locomotives, and signaling structures vital for high-speed operations. 

Financially, the numbers are eye-watering. A full-fledged high-speed rail system could require an envisioned $12–15 billion — a figure well beyond Pakistan’s current transport finances. 

“It’s far from possible to run a bullet train in this worn-out infrastructure,” one official stated. They also mentioned that Pakistan lacks compatible coaches, locomotives, and signaling systems. 

Professionals 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 music could still require Rs. 400 billion. Even then, it wouldn’t meet global bullet train requirements, which are 250 km/h or better. 

Terrain is another major hurdle. The path between Lahore and Rawalpindi is not straight, consists of sharp curves and hilly regions, and crosses major rivers like the Chenab, Ravi, and Jhelum. 

Mechanical engineer Riaz Rashid said such conditions might require a completely new, specially built track—something even India has struggled with since 2016.