Punjab is ready to launch first provincial airline ‘Air Punjab’ and first bullet train as Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the projects, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The project of first provincial airline “Air Punjab” was presented in a special meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore on Saturday.
In-principle approval was also given for the Lahore-Rawalpindi bullet train project in the meeting.
The meeting decided to get four Airbuses for “Air Punjab” on lease immediately.
Initially, “Air Punjab” will start domestic flights within the country and after the completion of a one-year period, “Air Punjab” will also be able to start foreign flights.
The Chief Minister ordered to make immediate arrangements to lease the latest aircraft for “Air Punjab” directing to make necessary arrangements to make “Air Punjab” the best airline in the country.
A detailed briefing was given on the project of the first bullet train from Lahore to Rawalpindi in the meeting.
The journey time from Lahore to Rawalpindi via bullet train will be reduced to about two and a half hours.
The meeting also reviewed various options to run the fastest bullet train in collaboration with Pakistan Railways and private-public partnership option also was considered for the bullet train project.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has assigned the task of collaborating with Pakistan Railways to Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
Chief Minister directed to complete steps for the launch of Pakistan's first bullet train project.
A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif sought plans for high-speed trains on six more routes in Punjab.
High-speed train will be run from Lahore to Shahdara and Narowal and from Lahore to Raiwind and Kasur, Pakpattan to Lodhran.
High-speed train route will also be from Sheikhupura Fort, Jaranwala to Shorkot.
High-speed train will be run from Shorkot to Jhang and from Jhang to Sargodha.
High-speed train will be run from Lala Musa to Sargodha via Malikwal and Faisalabad to Chak Jhumra to Shaheenabad.
The meeting also reviewed the Lahore Yellow Line and Mass Transit Line Gujranwala projects.
Chief Minister directed to complete the Jinnah Terminal Thokar Niaz Baig to Harbanspora Yellow Line project study by May 30.
A deadline of June 15 has been set for the project study of the Gujranwala Mass Transit Line.
A detailed briefing was also given in the meeting about the e-taxi project.
Reporter: Rao Dilshad Hussain