The federal government has moved forward with plans to launch a high -speed rail link between Islamabad and Rawalpindi to reduce travel time, reduce traffic crowds, and provide an affordable option for residents of the twin cities.
According to officials, the service is expected to be launched on March 23 using the current railway track. The route will connect the Margala railway station in Islamabad to the Saddandi railway station in Rapindi, allowing passengers to travel in just 20 minutes.
The decision was made during a high -level meeting chaired by Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) headquarters. Minister of State for Home Talal Chaudhry, senior officials of Pakistan Railway, CDA, Rawalpindi Commissioner Office, and law enforcement agencies also attended.
Minister for Railways Abbasi said that modern diesel units (DMUs) will be used in the project, which will be likely to be imported from China or any other country, which is expected to take at least a month. The project will be formally presented to the PC-I in the coming weeks.
To stabilize the contact, the CDA’s electric buses will serve as feeder services to Margala station, while the current metro bus will also be found with the new system.
Under the plan, Pakistan will supply and maintain the Railway Track Infrastructure, while CDA will oversee the operations. The framework agreement is expected to be signed next week.