WEBDESK: Pakistan Railways has announced plans to launch a high-speed bullet train between Karachi and Lahore by 2030. The new service will cut travel time between the two cities from 20 hours to just five.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the project will be built as part of the Main Line 1 (ML-1) upgrade. The 1,215 kilometre long line is being modernised under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at a cost of around $6.8 billion.
The bullet train will run at speeds of up to 250 kilometres per hour. It will stop at key cities including Hyderabad, Multan, and Sahiwal.
The project will be developed with Chinese assistance. The China Railway Construction Corporation is expected to play a major role.
Upgrades will include double tracks, stronger bridges, and a modern signalling system.
Officials say the new line will not only improve passenger travel but also boost freight transport. Pakistan’s rail freight share is expected to rise from 4 per cent to 20 per cent by 2030.
The plan is also expected to generate thousands of jobs and reduce reliance on road transport, saving Pakistan large sums in fuel imports.
Pakistan Railways currently operates more than 7,700 kilometres of track.
Read more: New train service announced from Islamabad to Rawalpindi
