Punjab earmarks funds for high-speed rail, glass train projects
Punjab has allocated funds in its 2026-27 development programme for feasibility work on a Rawalpindi-Lahore high-speed train and a tourist glass train to Murree. The ADP also includes allocations for ring road, underpass and sewerage-related projects in Rawalpindi division.
RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has set aside funds in its Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026-27 for two rail schemes: a proposed high-speed train linking Rawalpindi and Lahore, and a tourist glass train planned between Rawalpindi and Murree.
According to the budget allocations, Rs200 million has been reserved in the current fiscal year for a feasibility study of the Rawalpindi-Lahore high-speed train. The total estimated cost of that study stands at Rs452 million.
The provincial government has also allocated Rs49 million for the Rawalpindi-Murree tourist glass train project, which carries an estimated overall cost of Rs117 billion. The process of acquiring land for the railway track and stations has already started in Murree.
Other allocations in Rawalpindi division
Beyond the rail sector, the ADP includes funding for several infrastructure schemes in and around Rawalpindi. An amount of Rs3 billion has been allocated for the 38-kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road project stretching from Banth to Thalian Main Carriageway. The project has a total estimated cost of Rs47 billion, of which Rs29 billion has already been spent.
A further Rs69 million has been earmarked for the feasibility study of Ring Road Phase II, which is planned from Thalian to GT Road.
For sewerage-related planning, the government has allocated Rs1 million for the feasibility study of a sewerage outfall trunk for the city’s drains. The study is estimated to cost around Rs42 million.
Signal-free corridor and underpass projects
Under the Mall signal-free project, Rs100 million has been allocated for the Ammar Chowk flyover, a scheme estimated at Rs3 billion. Another Rs200 million has been set aside for underpasses at Race Course and Army Graveyard.
In addition, the ADP provides Rs93 million for the Tulsa Chowk underpass, whose estimated cost is Rs2.691 billion, and Rs100 million for the COD underpass, a project estimated at Rs3.75 billion.
In Gujar Khan, Rs100 million has been allocated for the construction of two underpasses at Galiana Mor and Technical College Chowk. The combined estimated cost of those two schemes is Rs4.531 billion.
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