Pakistan Railways has revealed an ambitious ball train project between Lahore and Karachi for the purpose of cutting travel time from almost 20 hours to only five by 2030.
The project is a central part of the $ 6.8 billion upgrade under the economic corridor of China-Pakistan (CPEC). The 1,215 km line is expected to operate at speeds of up to 250 km/h and will include stations in Hyderabad, Multan and Sahiwal.
“The ball train project is a visionary plan that will revolutionize travel and trade between Karachi and Lahore,” said Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi, as reported by Radio Pakistan.
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“With Chinese technical support – including China Railway Construction Corporation – we strengthen the backbone of this nation,” Abbasi said, emphasizing the wider financial benefits. The project will contain double track lines, reconstructed bridges and modern signal systems.
In addition to commuting improvements, the upgrades are expected to create thousands of jobs, increase regional trade and raise Pakistan’s railway allowance from 4% to 20% by 2030. Officials estimate that reduction in dependence on road transport saves billions in fuel imports.
Earlier this year, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved a separate bullet train initiative between Lahore and Rawalpindi, which promised a travel time of only 2.5 hours.
The development is coming as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to step in where Chinese funding is limping, and agrees to support an upgrade of $ 2 billion of 500 km Karachi-Rohri Rail Corridor.
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According to sources, this track is the key to transporting copper ore from the highly expected Reko DIQ mine. A consortium led by ADB is expected to formalize the agreement later this month with an international contractor appointed via a competitive bid.
In parallel, Pakistan Railways has launched a celebrating digitization and automation program nationwide. Upgrades include the installation of computerized interconnection systems at larger intersections such as Landhi and Badal Nala, the adoption of a digital microwave system along the Karachi-Lahore and implementation of digital networks across multiple divisions to increase security and operational coordination.
