Here’s the Expected Cost of Punjab Bullet Train Project

On the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has taken its first step towards launching a bullet train service between Lahore and Rawalpindi by forming a dedicated working group. A meeting chaired by Federal Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi and Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb resulted in the creation of the group, which has been tasked with preparing a feasibility study and proposing a timeline for the ambitious project. According to experts quoted by Dawn News, the proposed bullet train project is expected to cost more than $10 billion, raising serious questions about how the Punjab government plans to secure such massive funding. Experts point out that the cost of laying high-speed rail tracks alone is estimated at $40 to $50 million per kilometre. The newly-formed working group includes Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan, Adviser to the Chief Minister Shahid Tarar, the chairman of Pakistan Railways, and the railway chief executive officer. The team has been directed to submit its recommendations to Ms Nawaz within a week. In addition to planning the Lahore-Rawalpindi route, the group will also explore potential new routes for expanding the bullet train network across Punjab. Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan attended the meeting via video link, while Transport Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch and Planning and Development Secretary Asif Tufail were present in person. During the meeting, railway authorities gave a detailed briefing on the existing rail network and the condition of railway tracks. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the project would also include upgrades to the Lahore and Rawalpindi railway stations.