LAHORE (APP) - A new era of railway transport has begun in Punjab as the Punjab government and Pakistan Railways signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to modernise and expand rail services across the province.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi formally signed the agreement on Thursday, marking a significant step toward improving public transport infrastructure. Under the initiative, Pakistan’s first fast train will operate between Lahore and Rawalpindi, reducing travel time to just 2 hours and 15 minutes over a distance of 280 kilometres.
The project includes the development of 8 local routes spanning 1,415 kilometers across 20 regions of Punjab. Modern and state-of-the-art trains will be introduced on both fast and regional routes, while the provincial government will provide advanced Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) locomotives for regional connectivity.
Several new routes have been planned, including Shahdara to Narowal (79 km) and Narowal to Sialkot (62 km). A new train will operate on a 370 km route from Raiwind through Kasur and Pakpattan to Lodhran. Another route covering 220 km will connect Sheikhupura, Jaranwala, and Shorkot.
A train service will also run on a 147 km route from Lala Musa to Malakwal and Sargodha, while Faisalabad to Shaheenabad via Chak Jhumra will cover 68 km.
Additionally, an inter-provincial route from Kot Addu to Kashmore via Dera Ghazi Khan, spanning 303 km, has also been included in the project.
The Punjab government will introduce new railway engines and modern coaches to enhance passenger comfort and efficiency.
Abbasi announced measures to enhance railway safety, including the introduction of automated unmanned systems to prevent accidents. Railway stations will undergo beautification, and international-standard parking facilities will be developed.
In addition, a 40 km green belt from Shahdara to Raiwind will be established along the railway track, creating scenic views similar to European landscapes. Over 400,000 plants will be planted along railway lines across the province as part of the environmental initiative.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her commitment to providing modern and efficient transport facilities to the people of Punjab, aiming to serve nearly 110 million citizens with improved rail connectivity.