In a major step toward modernizing public transport, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif oversaw the trial run of Pakistan’s first electric urban train system on Tuesday. The pilot journey of the Super Autonomous Rapid Transit (SART) took place along the route from Ali Town to Muslim Town in Lahore.
Developed by the Chinese company Norinco, the SART project represents a significant shift towards eco-friendly and efficient public mobility in urban centers. The sleek, modern train consists of three coaches, capable of carrying up to 320 passengers. It can cover a distance of 40 kilometers on a single electric charge, making it both energy-efficient and suitable for short-distance urban travel.
Government officials present at the launch described the project as a “milestone” in Pakistan’s efforts to adopt green technology and reduce the carbon footprint of its transportation sector. The Chief Minister expressed optimism about the train’s potential to improve commuting for Lahore’s growing population, while also contributing to environmental sustainability.
Though the official video footage of the test run was AI-generated and intended for reference only, the demonstration served as a preview of what future public transport could look like in the country.
The introduction of the SART system marks the beginning of what could be a broader transformation in Pakistan’s urban infrastructure, with hopes of expanding similar projects to other major cities in the near future.
